Plea over delays between post mortems and inquests

Delays between post mortems and inquests is causing additional upset to the grieving families of victims, the Seanad heard today.

Senator Brian Hayes called for the Justice Department to examine the role and functions of coroners’ offices.

He said he knew of inexplicable delays in a case involving a young Dublin man in his 20s who died last year.

“For the past ten months, his family has been unable to make contact with medical professionals, the Coroner’s Court, the hospital or the people responsible for the autopsy, despite repeated attempts to do so,” he said.

“There is no information as yet on the cause of the man’s death.

“It is utterly wrong that the family still has not been given any information ten months after the man’s death, despite the efforts made by gardai to have the details of the case provided.”

Senator Hayes said he was also aware of other cases in the Dublin area where there were long delays in death certificates being issued.

“Not only does this cause trauma for the family but the estate of the deceased person cannot be put in order until a death certificate is issued,” he added.

Senator Hayes called for an overhaul of the role and functions of coroners’ offices.

“However bad it may be that someone of an older age should die of natural causes, it is particularly difficult when a young person in the prime of his or her health dies in these circumstances.

The representative called on the Justice Department to investigate the practices of coroners’ offices, so that finality can be brought to the issue as soon as possible for the sake of the bereaved.

He called for a debate in the Seanad in the autumn.

In reply, Seanad leader Senator Mary O’Rourke said that legislation to replace the Coroners Act of 1962 will be published later this year.

She added: “The delay between an autopsy and the coroner’s verdict leads to delays in the finalisation of financial affairs, adding to grief for families.

“This is a matter of concern and we await the Bill. Finality is necessary in such situations.”