Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Infanticide Statistics.

Derek McDowell

Question:

369 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of infanticide recorded for each year from 1992 to 2001; the number of stillborn babies found abandoned and new-born, full-term babies who were dead and found abandoned in each year from 1992 to 2001; if, in any of the above cases, gardaí were able to identify the mother; if the Garda referred the mothers involved to medical or counselling services; if charges were taken in respect of any of the above cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Listed hereunder are details of the published statistics from the Garda Síochána annual reports for the years 1992 to 2000 for infanticide and concealment of births. Statistics for the year 2001 are not available.

Year	InfanticideRecorded	Concealment ofBirth Recorded	ProceedingsCommenced
1992	0	0	0
1993	0	1	0
1994	0	1	0
1995	0	1	0
1996	0	0	0
1997	0	2	0
1998	0	1	0
1999*	0	1	0
2000	0	2	0

*Statistics are for nine months only (January to September inclusive).

Details in relation to the other information sought by the Deputy are not readily available. I am assured by the Garda authorities that all incidents of this nature are investigated thoroughly and sensitively to ensure that appropriate action is taken in each case.