Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2016
57. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if persons in the Inishowen Peninsula of County Donegal will have to travel outside the peninsula for coroners' inquests in future. [39261/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Coroners are quasi-judicial office holders who are independent in their functions. Neither I nor my Department has any role in relation to the scheduling or holding of inquests. However, I understand that the Donegal Coroner, Dr. Denis McCauley, routinely uses four different venues to hold inquests in Co. Donegal. In respect of residents of Inishowen Dr. McCauley can avail of the facilities of Buncrana Courthouse located in Buncrana town in Inishowen. I understand that while Dr. McCauley tries to arrange inquest venues to suit bereaved families it does not always prove possible to do.
