ICCL is campaigning for root-and-branch reform of the coroners system.
We all hope that when a loved one dies, they go peacefully. If someone dies tragically, we hope that the bereaved will be met with compassion and competence, as they try to find answers and secure justice.
But in Ireland, the system for investigating unexpected deaths can compound the suffering of the bereaved. Families are faced with a system which leaves them out in the cold, through lack of information, support, or consistency and delays which can span years. You can read about and take action on two such cases below.
There is no system for implementing findings of inquests. This means that when fatal errors are identified, they may not be addressed.
The data available for suicide researchers, or people investigating deaths in homelessness, or people looking for information about fatal crimes is very poor. That means government and public bodies can’t take steps to prevent avoidable deaths. Lessons are not learned.
Comprehensive reform of our Coroners System has been promised many times, but never delivered. This must change now.
Government must put families at the centre of the process, including by establishing and implementing a Charter for the Bereaved. This would outline exactly how a family should be treated after a tragic death. There should be a time limit on how long families must wait for answers. Legal aid and other supports must be available.
The State must resource the coroners system. Coroners must be full-time and there should be a National Coroner Service. The service must be made consistent across Ireland. Minimum standards of practice must be introduced and followed. Coroners must be fully independent from gardaí and other state bodies who they may need to investigate.
Perhaps most crucially of all, the recommendations that coroners make after delivering a verdict must be implemented. Otherwise, how can we ever hope to prevent the same kind of tragic deaths from occurring again?