Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2017
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons reported as missing over the past four years; the number located; the number whose whereabouts are still not known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44482/17]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that the table shows the number of missing person incidents recorded on the Garda PULSE system each year and the number of those persons recorded as missing at the end of each year, for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and to 4 October 2017. These figures are provisional, operational and liable to change and are correct as of 4 October 2017.
I am further advised that all incidents remain under investigation where the person reported missing has not been located and such cases are reviewed on a regular basis.
The Deputy's question is timely as, on 6 December 2017, I will be hosting a ceremony at Farmleigh House to mark Ireland's national Missing Persons Day.
The objective of Missing Persons Day is to commemorate all those who have gone missing and recognise the lasting trauma for their families and friends. Missing Persons Day also draws attention to open or unsolved missing persons cases, and creates an opportunity to provide information on available support services. Missing Persons Day is an annual day of commemoration and takes place on the first Wednesday in December each year.
This year's ceremony will mark the fifth year for Ireland's national Missing Persons Day. The ceremony will be attended by families and friends of missing persons, as well as a number of organisations working in the community on their behalf. An Garda Síochána will also be in attendance at the ceremony, notably the Missing Persons Bureau and many Family Liaison Officers.
Further information on National Missing Persons Day is available by emailing missingpersonsday@justice.ie .
Number of missing person incidents recorded on An Garda Síochána's PULSE system each year and the number of those persons recorded as missing at the end of each year, for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and to 4 October 2017
|
Year |
Missing Person Reports |
Outstanding Missing Persons |
|
2017 (4/10/2017) |
7,350 |
61* |
|
2016 |
9,819 |
19 |
|
2015 |
9,969 |
31 |
|
2014 |
9,179 |
9 |
|
2013 |
7,753 |
9 |
* The figure of 61 outstanding missing persons to 4 October 2017 appears disproportionately high as the data is taken from An Garda Síochána's PULSE system which is a ‘live’ database. These 61 incidents of missing persons remain open, however this number of incidents will decline in the coming months with the conclusion of a considerable portion of these current investigations.
