Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2012
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of persons including children reported as missing and continuing to remain so in the course of the past ten years; the extent to which such cases continue to be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46800/12]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number of people, including children, reported missing, and who remain untraced, between 2002 to 2011 and up to and including 21 October 2012:
|
Year |
Number of people missing and who currently remain untraced |
|
2012 |
109 |
|
2011 |
28 |
|
2010 |
19 |
|
2009 |
62 |
|
2008 |
38 |
|
2007 |
50 |
|
2006 |
50 |
|
2005 |
33 |
|
2004 |
50 |
|
2003 |
58 |
|
2002 |
73 |
Figures provided are operational and liable to change.
All incidents where people have been reported missing remain under investigation until such time as the person is located. An Garda Síochána reviews missing persons cases on a regular basis. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where a person has gone missing takes direct responsibility for all investigations and searches carried out. Local investigation teams are appointed by the District Officer and all means necessary, including the services of specialist units, are deployed to assist in these investigations, as considered appropriate. The services of Interpol and Europol can also be availed of during such investigations, if necessary. The Garda Missing Persons Bureau, which is responsible for all data relating to missing persons, provides expert assistance and advice to District Officers in all high risk missing person cases. The Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technology, are in place to deal with this issue and investigations are carried out in line with international best practice.
