01/07/2008
Death Bill Legislates A Seven-Year Wait For 'Missing'
New legislation to help the relatives of Troubles 'disappeared' and other missing persons in Northern Ireland has been introduced.
The Presumption of Death Bill was put to the Assembly by the NI Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds and aims at allowing the High Court to declare that a missing person "may be presumed dead", for the issuing of death certificates - but only after seven years.
Nigel Dodds said: "No-one wants to think about how they would cope if one of their family members was missing, presumed dead.
"Quite apart from the sense of grief and loss there are the practical questions which will arise: can the death of the missing person be registered? What happens to the family home? Will insurance policies be paid?
"Unfortunately there has been no easy answer to these questions because existing court procedures do not allow a judge to deal with all the legal issues arising from a presumed death," he said.
He said that the legislation introduced in the Assembly will help the families of missing people answer some of the questions.
The Bill will allow family members and others to apply to the High Court for a declaration that the missing person may be presumed to be dead if he or she is thought to have died or has been missing for more than seven years.
The Court order will lead to the missing person's presumed death being registered and a death certificate being made available to the families.
"I know that for the families of the disappeared and other missing persons that this Bill cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, or the continuing anguish which comes from a body not being recovered for burial or cremation.
I hope, however, that it will help them to address some of their concerns and the problems they may encounter," he said.
(BMcC)
The Presumption of Death Bill was put to the Assembly by the NI Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds and aims at allowing the High Court to declare that a missing person "may be presumed dead", for the issuing of death certificates - but only after seven years.
Nigel Dodds said: "No-one wants to think about how they would cope if one of their family members was missing, presumed dead.
"Quite apart from the sense of grief and loss there are the practical questions which will arise: can the death of the missing person be registered? What happens to the family home? Will insurance policies be paid?
"Unfortunately there has been no easy answer to these questions because existing court procedures do not allow a judge to deal with all the legal issues arising from a presumed death," he said.
He said that the legislation introduced in the Assembly will help the families of missing people answer some of the questions.
The Bill will allow family members and others to apply to the High Court for a declaration that the missing person may be presumed to be dead if he or she is thought to have died or has been missing for more than seven years.
The Court order will lead to the missing person's presumed death being registered and a death certificate being made available to the families.
"I know that for the families of the disappeared and other missing persons that this Bill cannot make up for the loss of a loved one, or the continuing anguish which comes from a body not being recovered for burial or cremation.
I hope, however, that it will help them to address some of their concerns and the problems they may encounter," he said.
(BMcC)
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Police in Limavady have issued a missing persons appeal for a stolen statue. The statue of Manannán Mac Lir, a sea deity in Irish mythology, was stolen from its mount at Gortmore viewing point on Binevenagh Mountain. On the PSNI Limavady Facebook page, the force said: "A well known six foot tall striking local male with an athletic build.
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PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of high-risk missing person Jason Hughes. Making a specific appeal for information this morning, Thursday 26th September, Detective Inspector Angus said: "We are continuing to search for 27-year-old Jason Hughes who has not been seen since Friday, 26th April.
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PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of high-risk missing person Jason Hughes. Making a specific appeal for information this morning, Thursday 26th September, Detective Inspector Angus said: "We are continuing to search for 27-year-old Jason Hughes who has not been seen since Friday, 26th April.
26 May 2021
Two Missing Brothers Found Safe And Well
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Two missing brothers from north Belfast have been found safe and well. Patrick Horvath, aged 5, and his brother Fabricio Horvath, aged 8, were located in the Thurles area of Tipperary on Tuesday, 25 May. The brothers have since returned to Northern Ireland.
18 December 2019
Concern Grows For High Risk Missing Person
Concern is growing for the wellbeing of a man described as "high risk" who is missing from hospital. Stephen Crawford, aged 55, was last seen at Craigavon Area Hospital shortly after 9am on Tuesday 17 December. Police said he was still missing on Wednesday morning, with concerns for his wellbeing growing in the local area.
Concern Grows For High Risk Missing Person
Concern is growing for the wellbeing of a man described as "high risk" who is missing from hospital. Stephen Crawford, aged 55, was last seen at Craigavon Area Hospital shortly after 9am on Tuesday 17 December. Police said he was still missing on Wednesday morning, with concerns for his wellbeing growing in the local area.
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