John Deasy
Question:645 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if further resources can be allocated for the investigations into the disappearance of a person (details supplied). [15201/03]
Written Answers. - Missing Persons.
John Deasy
Question:646 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of outstanding cases of missing persons to date; the plans he has set up a missing persons bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda inquiries into the disappearance of the person named by the Deputy are continuing. These inquiries are being carried out by the Garda national bureau of criminal investigations in conjunction with gardaí from the relevant Garda division. The Deputy will appreciate that the deployment of Garda resources and the investigative methods used in missing persons cases are operational matters for the Garda authorities.
Statistics on missing persons for the years 1997 to 2001 are shown in the following table. Statistics for the year 2002 are not yet available.
|
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
|
|
Missing Persons Recorded |
2,123 |
1,806 |
1,800 |
2,015 |
1,877 |
|
Still missing at end of year recorded |
67 |
22 |
20 |
14 |
6 |
|
Still missing at end of 2001 |
67 |
21 |
15 |
10 |
3 |
The Garda missing persons bureau, which is attached to Garda headquarters, is responsible for data relating to missing persons. In a case of a missing person, the local Garda district officer takes direct responsibility for the investigation and will appoint an investigation team to include any specialised unit deemed necessary, such as, for example, the national bureau of criminal investigation or the technical bureau. The services of other agencies, such as Interpol and Europol, are also available to assist in the investigation.
In October 2002 I launched the missing persons helpline which is operated by Victim Support. This dedicated helpline is operating as a counselling and referral service and as a primary point of contact for the families of missing persons. The helpline provides advice and psychological support for families of missing persons as well as structured liaison with the Garda Síochána.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that every effort is made to locate all missing persons and that the current procedures for dealing with missing persons are adequate. Their view is that, while specialist units prove extremely useful in detecting or investigating certain types of crime, the particular nature of missing persons cases requires specific local knowledge both about the area and the circumstances of the person themselves. All files on missing persons remain open and under continuous review until the person is located or, in the case of a missing person who is presumed drowned, a verdict to that effect by the coroner.