Vol. 534 No. 5
15 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reported cases of missing persons in each of the past 12 months; the degree to which such persons have subsequently been located; the number still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11040/01]
46 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date in the Garda investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of a number of women in the Leinster area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11001/01]
195 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which a dedicated division or section exists within the Garda to monitor and investigate persons reported as missing; if he has proposals to upgrade activities in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11223/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 46 and 195 together.
As I informed the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 160 on 7 February 2001, statistics for the year 2000 are unavailable but will be published in due course in the Garda Síochána annual report.
With regard to the Garda investigation into the disappearance of a number of women in the Leinster area, as I have previously informed the House, Operation Trace was established by the Garda Commissioner for the specific purpose of establishing whether any common denominator linked any of six women who went missing in Leinster between 1993 and 1998. I am sure that the House will appreciate the difficulties the Garda faces in investigating these cases because there is no crime scene available for analysis and there is a complete lack of forensic or pathological evidence.
Each of the cases under review by Operation Trace was originally investigated in depth by the Garda Síochána in the locality of the disappearance. Operation Trace has comprehensively reviewed each of these cases and has yielded new lines of inquiries that have been pursued in conjunction with the original investigation teams. Furthermore, a unique database (OVID, offenders, victims and incidents) has been devised which facilitates cross-referencing of information generated by each case. While progress has been slow and time-consuming, the Garda authorities consider that the operation has been worth while.
With regard to the Garda structures for investigating missing persons, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the district officer for each area is responsible for the overall investigation for each missing person, including all searches, and that an investigation team which draws together any specialist resources the district officer decides are necessary to locate a missing person is put in place. In addition, every district has a specially trained search team familiar with the locality. At division level, investigations are co-ordinated by the relevant chief superintendent. An administrative and statistical function is maintained at the missing persons bureau in Garda headquarters.
