Missing persons Helpline funding is crucial

THE Government should move immediately to dispel lingering doubts over its long-term commitment to funding a vital helpline in the search for Irish people who go missing.

Equally, the Garda Síochána should heed demands from the families of those who disappeared for a dedicated unit to help them find their loved ones.

Given the success rate of specialised British and American police squads in tracking down people who have gone missing, it is hard to blame Irish families for questioning the policy of the Garda Síochána, which tends to concentrate mainly on local resources rather than creating a specialised team to spearhead the search for missing persons on a national basis.