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A West Yorkshire Police officer holding a new mobile fingerprint scanning system. Peter Byrne

Ireland's DNA database to be shared with other European countries to help fight cross-border crime

Ireland’s DNA database holds 16,361 DNA profiles of suspected offenders and convicted offenders.

IRELAND WILL BE sharing forensic data with other nations, mostly from the EU, in the hope that it will help solve more cases.

From today, Ireland will have access to DNA databases in other countries, but the government has also stressed that the process will be “strictly controlled and have regard to data protection requirements in respect of personal data”.

The national DNA Database System, maintained and operated by Forensic Science Ireland, helps match DNA profiles from crime scenes with DNA profiles uploaded from individuals under criminal investigation, convicted criminals and former offenders.

Since the start of November, the database contained 16,361 DNA profiles of suspected offenders and convicted offenders, along with 4,971 crime stain profiles.

There have been some 1,825 person-to-stain matches to date, with a crime stain match effective rate of 36.7%, which compares well internationally.

The EU Council has approved the cooperation between EU member states, Iceland and Norway, and will commence on a phased basis in Ireland from today.

Minister Flanagan said: “The coming into operation of these legal provisions will facilitate the exchange of DNA profiles and other identification evidence with other States, greatly enhancing international cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime.

I have no doubt that access to DNA and such databases between States has huge potential to be very useful in view of the international mobility of criminals.

He added:

“I am also conscious, however, of the need to achieve an appropriate balance between the investigation of crime in the public interest and protecting individuals’ personal rights.

The mutual assistance arrangements in place in our national legislation ensure that personal data of Irish citizens accessed by other States will have the same level of safeguards as would apply to such data in respect of criminal investigations within this jurisdiction.

The Minister praised the work of Forensic Science Ireland, which is headed up by Director General Chris Enright, on its “successful operation” of the DNA Database System to date.  

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28 Comments
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    Mute Mick12
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:09 AM

    About time

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:39 AM

    Should setup for social welfare check foreign DNA ID for Fraud easy caught cos they apply different names to social welfare get dole

    191
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    Mute Maria
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:46 AM

    @Brian Flavin: they use photo recognition now

    41
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    Mute Mick12
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 11:39 AM

    @Brian Flavin: all social welfare offices use photo recognition now so and your signature must match when signing otherwise you don’t get paid

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 4:52 PM

    @Maria: thank you cheer

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 4:52 PM

    @Mick12: thank you cheer

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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:26 AM

    It should also be mandatory for all law enforcement individuals to be included on any DNA register . . . to help capture corrupt undesirables within the force.

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    Mute O Hiongardail Collie
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 11:10 AM

    @Blind Faith: but then that violates the right of the law enforcement officer . For that to work you you would need to submit the entire population as DNA so there is fairness and equality. The people on the database have been found guilty of an offence or have left DNA at the scene of a crime. You can’t take DNA of people for fear they commit a crime

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 2:18 PM

    @Blind Faith: there are way more corrupt members of public than police..so why are you only calling for Garda to be made give samples?

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    Mute Dermot Murray
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 3:02 PM

    @MerryLounyMcD: I’m willing to give a sample at any time

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:12 AM

    Protecting your rights pffft…..your DNA won’t be collected or put on system unless you are a criminal…

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    Mute *The* Brendan Gordon
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:20 AM

    @MerryLounyMcD: or a suspect. Or just happen to have shed a hair in the wrong place.

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:22 AM

    @*The* Brendan Gordon: watching too much csi

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:23 AM

    @*The* Brendan Gordon: Suspect DNA is removed if you are not convicted.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 11:03 AM

    @MerryLounyMcD: or you or your family members submit DNA to a genealogy site ;)

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    Mute *The* Brendan Gordon
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 12:13 PM

    @MerryLounyMcD: True, It’s meant to be but do you really trust Irish bureaucracy?

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 2:06 PM

    @Veronica: genealogy sites are not in the Garda database

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    Mute Veronica
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 11:33 PM

    @MerryLounyMcD: not yet, but that’s how they caught EAR/ONS earlier this year, it’ll be heading that way here too.

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    Mute Mary Dunphy
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 11:02 AM

    General alert issued for information relating to a shady character who dresses in red.
    UFO in which he travels annually was picked up on airport radars and found to be a sleigh drawn by Reindeers. Driver captured on CCTV descending chimneys worldwide. DNA found on Christmas presents in homes and on plates from which he had eaten and glasses from which he had drunk. He has been traced as emanating from Lapland and the hunt for this individual is on.

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    Mute John Tierney
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 12:46 PM

    Given how the Gardaí bolloxed up the breath tests this should be fun to watch (bolloxed is less toxic than c0cked up!)

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    Mute MerryLounyMcD
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 2:20 PM

    @John Tierney: seeing as it is run by Forensic Science Laboratory and not the Garda….think you made the boll ox up.

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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 8:16 PM

    Should be mandatory to give DNA when turning 18, or entering the country for the first time. Obviously with strict access controls, would act as a deterrent as well as helping to solve crimes

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:28 AM

    Damn, have to cancel that diamond heist in Monaco this year.

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 10:50 AM

    @Greg Blake: Monaco lol you been watching too much oceans 11. Antwerp my friend Antwerp.

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 12:24 PM

    @Chewey Bacca: forget it Chewey, I’ve decided it’s better to rob every takeaway and restaurant in Ireland instead. With a delivery app, no less, 30% going abegging. You in??

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 5:56 PM

    What could possibly go wrong?

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    Mute Godfrey Vian
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    Dec 3rd 2018, 4:11 PM

    Suspected offenders? Alias subversives?

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    Mute Daniel Donovan
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    Dec 4th 2018, 5:36 PM

    Criminals is just the beginning. Don’t be fooled. Those of us who are willing to give up our freedom and liberty for safety will deserve and get neither.

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