Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are currently 856 unsolved missing persons cases in the State. In addition, an unknown number of unidentified remains are documented in various files in coroners' offices throughout the country. Advances in DNA profiling have led to some cases being solved in recent years. In the middle of May, for the first time ever, the Department of Justice published information provided by coroners on unidentified remains. However, there are limits to the data provided. Does the Minister share the concerns expressed that an unidentified skull found off Lambay Island in 2006, which has been the subject of numerous news reports and appeals by the Garda, was omitted from the recent list of unidentified remains submitted by coroners and published by the Department? Does he agree that this omission shows the need for a new specialised task force to assemble all information properly, to assume accountability for compiling a compete and proper list of unidentified remains and to ensure everything is done to solve these cases? Coroners do not have the resources to do so.

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