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New Irish DNA database to go live from next Friday

Ireland's new DNA database will go live next week, becoming operational on November 20th. The dat...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.29 13 Nov 2015


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New Irish DNA database to go l...

New Irish DNA database to go live from next Friday

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.29 13 Nov 2015


Share this article


Ireland's new DNA database will go live next week, becoming operational on November 20th.

The database will be based in Forensic Science Ireland in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says it is "an historic step" in criminal investigation in Ireland.

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The new database is seen as a significant development in assisting the Garda Síochána.

"It is vital that our police force has all it requires, including the most modern technology, to protect the State and its citizens from crime", the minister said.

"This high quality intelligence tool will be invaluable in the fight against 'volume crime', such as burglary and theft, and also in the investigation of serious offences against the person".

The database will also help in finding and identifying missing or unknown persons.

It launch follows the recent publication of legislation to tackle repeat home burglars. Garda figures show that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars.

"The new system will help the gardaí to close the net on these serial offenders. The database will be populated with unidentified DNA profiles from crime scenes - these 'cold case' profiles can then be matched with DNA profiles uploaded from individuals under criminal investigation, convicted criminals and former offenders, with a view to solving these crimes and securing convictions," Minister Fitzgerald added.

While protected persons - those who do not have the capacity to understand the general nature of the taking of a DNA sample - and suspects under 14 years may not be sampled for the database, they maybe sampled where it is necessary to prove or disprove their involvement in an offence.

The position with regard to children of 14 years and older is to be reviewed within six years.

And samples taken from suspects will be destroyed as soon as the profile has been generated from the sample or within six months, whichever is later.


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