Details on forty-four unidentified remains released in bid to solve missing person cases

Details about the unidentified remains of 44 people have been published on a new database in a bid to help families searching for missing loved ones.

The information was collated by the Department of Justice and was drawn from the records of coroners around Ireland.

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Genetic profiles for 28 of the sets of remains are already on the National DNA Database.

The department now intends to carry out exhumations, where possible, to obtain samples from the other 16 unidentified remains with the intention of uploading that information to the DNA database as well.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne said the Government was committed to doing everything possible to ensure families of missing people had the best chance of having their cases resolved.

“Today, as details of unidentified remains are published for the first time, we remember in particular the families and friends of missing people in Ireland and recognise the ongoing pain suffered and the lack of closure in the absence of the remains of their loved ones,” he said.

“I know that the families of missing people have long called for the release of this information.

“We have listened to that request and I welcome the publication of that data today.

“It is important to say that this will not have been an easy task for coroners, given many of these files pre-date digitisation and would have required a physical trawl.

“I thank the coroners for their co-operation, and hope that the release of this information may assist in the identification and location of missing family members.

“Importantly, there may be something contained in the information released today that triggers a memory or rings a bell with any one of us.

“If you or someone you know has any information that might assist in solving a missing person case, I would urge you to report it to An Garda Siochana.

“It’s never too late, and any information provided to An Garda Siochana may help those suffering the loss of their missing loved one to find some answers.”

Mr Browne said there would be an international dimension to efforts to identify the remains.

“We do engage with other international organisations such as Interpol and Europol and I think part of this process as well will be to see how further we can engage with international organisations,” he said.

“I’m conscious if you look at the locations of a lot of the remains they are on coastal areas as well, so that might indicate some have either come from maybe fishing accidents or may have come from other jurisdictions as well. So, I think that part is a very important part.”

Mr Browne was joined at the launch of the database in Dublin by Mayo coroner Pat O’Connor, who spoke on behalf of the Coroners Society of Ireland.

“At the heart of the process of identifying remains is the hope that the family and friends’ search for their loved one who has passed away will come to an end and that they will be able to move on with their lives,” he said.

Family members of missing people have been encouraged to provide DNA samples to Forensic Science Ireland to help solve the cases.

FSI also works closely with the Garda’s missing persons bureau.

Chris Enright, director of Forensic Science Ireland said: “In 2022 FSI assisted in 74 missing persons cases where DNA reference samples from family members were submitted to FSI for DNA profiling and uploaded to the National DNA Database.

“FSI assisted in the identification of 12 missing persons in 2022.

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“Forensic Science Ireland remains committed to continuously developing the science and technology available in support of missing person investigations.”

Garda Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan said he recognised the “lasting sense of trauma” for the families and friends of those who have gone missing.

“In 2018, An Garda Siochana commenced a substantial body of work in relation to unidentified human remains and this work continues to date,” he added.