Computer system to aid gardaí in missing women cases

GARDAÍ are to use a new sophisticated computer system to help crack the unsolved disappearances of six women.

Jo Jo Dullard, Deirdre Jacob, Fiona Sinnott, Ciara Breen, Fiona Pender and Annie McCarrick all went missing in the 1990s and the disappearances have baffled gardaí despite intensive investigations.

Now a new system, which originated in Canada, will be used to look for any new information, similarities or links between the cases.

"We will certainly use it for the missing women, the likes of Jo Jo Dullard and Fiona Pender," said Detective Superintendent John McDermott of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

The system, called ViCLAS (Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System), was created by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the 1990s and set up here last May, with training by Canadian police. Det Supt McDermott said the system is being used in six cases, including murders and a serious sexual offence.

"It's used in serious crimes, such as murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, abductions and missing persons where foul play is suspected, internet luring and child pornography," said Det Supt McDermott. He said the system would look at the six missing cases previously investigated under Operation Trace.

"These cases the girls missing are most unusual, no bodies have been recovered."

He said the system could analyse an almost limitless amount of information. It can also check with systems in other countries.

"It can check for any linkages, such as the modus operandi, locations, similarities, the wounds inflicted, the implement used, the victim age group, the possible offender, etc."

US student Annie McCarrick, 26, went missing in the Wicklow Mountains in 1993. Jo Jo Dullard, 20, disappeared from Co Kildare in November 1995. Fiona Pender, 25, from Tullamore, Co Offaly, went missing in 1996. Ciara Breen, 18, from Dundalk, Co Louth, disappeared in 1998. Fiona Sinnott, 19, from Lady's Island, Co Wexford, went missing in 1998. Deirdre Jacob, 19, went missing from Newbridge, Co Kildare, in 1998.

Gardaí also believe ViCLAS could be of assistance in combating the emergence of foreign gangs in Ireland. A presentation on ViCLAS will be given today at an international police conference, hosted by the Garda Síochána, in Dublin.