30/01/2013

Changes Proposed To Laws On Missing Persons

The Law Reform Commission has put forward proposals to change the laws relating to missing people.

Among the recommendations made to the government there is measures to allow families access to the missing person’s finances and the ability to get a death certificate.

Some 8,000 people are reported missing in Ireland each year.

A majority turn up within a short time, but around 1% remain missing in the longer term.

The families of missing people face practical problems as well as emotional trauma, such as not being able to access and administer the missing person’s finances or obtain a death certificate.

Currently a certificate of presumed death is issued, meaning the spouse of a missing person cannot be declared a widow or widower.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Government will consider the recommendations "in due course" and then announce its decisions.

(H)


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