Gardai should review missing persons search procedures

19 April 2015

by Cllr Joe Costello

Today the post-mortem on the body of the man found in the Ramor Lake, in Co Cavan confirmed the remains to be those of Joe Whelan from Ashbourne, Co Meath, originally from Dublin's inner city.  The death of Mr Whelan is a terrible tragedy, leaving a family of three young children and a wife who is six months pregnant.  Mr Whelan had travelled to Cavan over two weeks ago and has been missing since 4 April.
 
This grieving family have expressed disappointment that it took so long to find his body and that it was a visiting fisherman rather than any action on the part of the Irish authorities that brought closure to their search for Joe Whelan.  The family must now be left to grieve but the Gardai should carefully review their missing persons search procedures for the future.