The quest for an overdue revamp of the Coroners Service finds its blueprint in the Stardust inquests. Dr Myra Cullinane’s decision to centre the bereaved families in the process, particularly by prompting them to share heartfelt accounts of the victims before the formal inquisitions began, was empathetic and apt. By doing so, she indicated that the goal of the inquisitions, beyond unravelling the details of the devastating fire that claimed 48 lives 43 years prior, was to aid the affected individuals in moving forward from their sorrow. The effectiveness of this methodology is confirmed by the feedback from the families involved. Yet, it continues to be an exception, rather than the standard.
Organisations such as the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which have consistently demanded a comprehensive revamp of the Coroner Service to better serve the rights of the bereaved, found a strong ally in Dr Cullinane.
A probe conducted by the Department of Justice in 2000 pinpointed the absence of direct support to grieving families as potentially the single most significant flaw in the system.
Several other issues persist, mainly due to the sporadic nature of the service. Outside of Dublin, where coroners are chosen full-time by the Department of Justice, local authorities hire doctors or lawyers for the role on a part-time basis. The service currently lacks a centralised body responsible for service management, uniform standard enforcement, training provision, and reform execution in areas such as jury selection.
Addressing this shortcoming forms the cornerstone of any genuine commitment to shape a professional Coroner Service anchored on the bereaved. This would enable grieving families to be informed in advance about the process, its intentions, and the possible results. Simultaneously, families could obtain guidance on potential legal advice needs and access to legal aid. Training coroners in trauma-informed practice and bereavement awareness would ensure that the process responds to the families’ needs with the utmost sensitivity.
The Department of Justice is presently working on the Coroners Amendment Bill. The bill’s key objective is to facilitate the appointment of additional coroners, either on a permanent or temporary capacity. Alongside this, a public consultation is underway to take into account ideas for potential future reform of the system. There is certainly no dearth of proposed alterations to ponder.
Accounting for the anticipation of the Stardust families who have waited a staggering 43 years for atonement, it is vital that Taoiseach Simon Harris truly commits to his redemptive intentions. By fully utilising the opportunities provided by this bill, he can bring about a thorough overhaul of the Coroner Service so as to prevent past errors from recurring.