Gardaí lack IT to aid missing persons cases

GARDA stations across the country have no immediate access to computer equipment that would allow pictures of missing people to be speedily circulated.

The main internal computer system, Pulse, has no internet, email or word-processing facilities, a garda spokeswoman said.

But garda headquarters said there has never been a problem if pictures need to be sent electronically members either use local businesses or personal computers at home.

Otherwise, pictures that need to be sent out by the garda press office are delivered by hand, sometimes a day or more after a person is reported missing.

Few stations have personal computers equipped with email or internet access although the local superintendent will, in many cases, have his or her own laptop.

There is, however, no equipment to scan photographs for online delivery.

Questions are being asked about whether stations should be equipped with more up-to-date computer equipment after the disappearance on Tuesday of mother-of-four Dolores McCrea. While the family was making radio appeals, Garda HQ said it was unable to release a photograph as members in Donegal were unable to send one from the north-west.

David Linehan, of the Missing Persons Association, said it was a disgrace.

"It's totally unacceptable. I am shocked if that is the case," said Mr Linehan, who set up the association after his father disappeared a number of years ago.

"If your loved one went missing and you went to the local garda station with a picture and wanted it sent up to the press office, you would expect that they would be able to do it. We have the equipment and it's not expensive to install," he said.