McDowell considers funding for missing persons service and helpline

JUSTICE minister Michael McDowell is considering funding a missing person’s service which would include a revamped helpline.

The last annual garda figures show 5,997 people went missing in 2005. The majority of these were traced, but 78 people have never been found.

A submission to the Department of Justice by Missing in Ireland Support Service (MISS) proposes to run a support group for distraught family and friends as well as awareness campaigns and appeals. MISS said this could be done over three years initially costing about €600,000 a year.