Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 3

Written Answers. - Unsolved Murders.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

162 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the number of murders which has not been solved in each of the years from 1983 to 1993; the number of murders committed in each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the steps being taken to pursue these outstanding procedures. [2003/94]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is as follows:

Year	Number of murders committed	Number of murders not solved
1983	26	6
1984	21	1
1985	25	7
1986	14	1
1987	29	10
1988	20	1
1989	16	1
1990	16	2
1991	14	3
1992	20	5
1993	22	3

When a murder is reported, the gardaí put in place certain procedures for the investigation of the crime. The aim of the investigation is to find the perpetrator and bring him or her before the courts. If, at the end of this exhaustive and detailed procedure, there is insufficient evidence to support the institution of proceedings, the investigation is scaled down. However, if further information becomes subsequently available, it is, of course, pursued with the aim of bringing the case to a successful conclusion.