Family of man who died in 2023 urge action amid inquest delay

'Lamentable' delay in holding inquest has stalled family's grieving process, Seanad hears

Senator Chris Andrews said the family is frustrated by the delay in bringing the case to a hearing at Dublin City Coroner’s Court. Picture: iStock 

The family of a man believed to have died by suicide in April 2023 have been left without answers because of a delay in the holding of an inquest, it has been claimed.

Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews says the family is frustrated by the delay in bringing the case to a hearing at Dublin City Coroner’s Court, saying it had stalled their grieving process.

He told the Irish Examiner: “It is very hard on the family. They cannot get any real closure.”

The man had been hospitalised a number of times for mental health-related issues.

Mr Andrews told the Seanad last week: “Nearly three years later, there has still been no inquest and this is very upsetting for the family. There has been radio silence from the coroner’s office.

'Lamentable' delay

“I know there are issues with resources for the coroner’s office but three years of a delay is lamentable.

“It is very unfair on the family. The coroner’s office is clearly not fit for purpose and a three-year wait is simply unacceptable.”

He said the man’s family are the “faces and people” behind the statistics of delays in inquests and death investigation.

“They deserve better than this,” said Mr Andrews, adding that delays in the coronial system “is having serious implications for families who are already distressed”.

Delays in autopsies 

It is the latest concern being raised about the coroner system and the wider death investigation process in Ireland. Delays in autopsies are being experienced in some parts of the country, including Limerick and Waterford, because of a shortage of pathology staff for examinations.

The Department of Justice said in a statement that coroners are independent office-holders and the department has no role in directing their work during their investigation of any death.

“A decision to hold an inquest and, thereafter, any decision in respect of the operation of the inquest must rest entirely with the individual coroner.

“Neither the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration or his department can interfere with a coroner in the exercise of their statutory function.”

The department said that government approval was given in October 2024 for the drafting of a general scheme of a bill aimed at reforming the current coroner service “to increase efficiencies and minimise the impact of the death investigation process on bereaved people”.

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The legislation is expected to be brought before the Government in the coming months with the establishment of a national coroner service expected to be central to reform.

The department said: “The current programme for government commits to enacting legislation to establish a modern, fit-for-purpose coronial system and the establishment of an Office of the Chief Coroner with nationwide jurisdiction.

“A restructured and modernised coroner service will drive consistency and will assist coroners to better meet the needs of bereaved people, through the provision of enhanced ICT, administrative and family liaison."