Post Sentencing and Coroner Service

Irish Prison Service

If your case has gone to court and someone has received a prison sentence in relation to the case, the Irish Prison Service will provide assistance to victims of crime.

When victims of crime request it, the Prison Service Victim Liaison Officer will enter into direct contact with them to inform them of any significant development in the management of the perpetrator's sentence as well as any impending release. Such significant developments could include temporary releases, parole board hearings, prison transfers and expected release dates.

If you wish to avail of the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service, the contact details are as follows:

Victim Liaison Officer
Irish Prison Service Headquarters
IDA Business Park
Ballinalee Road
Longford

Telephone: (043) 33 35100

Email: vlo@irishprisons.ie

Website: www.irishprisons.ie

Coroner Service

The Coroner Service is a network of coroners located throughout the country.

The core function of a coroner is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased.

The purpose of the inquest is:

· To establish the facts surrounding the death;

· To place those facts on the public record;

· To make findings on (a) the identification of the deceased (b) the date and place of death and (c) the cause of death.

While the coroner or jury may make a general recommendation designed to prevent similar deaths, they do not decide who was at fault or whether there was a criminal offence.

The Coroner Service not only provides closure for those bereaved suddenly, but also performs a wider public service by identifying matters of public interest that can have life or death consequences.

Coroners appreciate that the procedures involved in their inquiries, though necessary, may involve upset and trauma for the next-of-kin and friends. Coroners will carry out their work as sensitively as possible and with respect for the deceased, next-of-kin and friends.

In some deaths, inquests are legally required. An inquest may be opened during an investigation but it cannot be concluded until after a court case is concluded or there is a decision made not to prosecute.

In other cases, the holding of an inquest is at the discretion of the coroner and the next-of-kin can make their views known to the coroner, if they so wish. An inquest is an inquiry held in public by a coroner, sometimes with a jury.

Where an inquest is held with a jury, it is the jury-members (not the coroner) who return the findings and verdict together with any rider or recommendation.

Most deaths reported to coroners do not require an inquest.

The coroner is independent in carrying out his or her duties. A review of the coroner’s decisions can only be made under the law. For example, a person can appeal to the High Court through a Judicial Review application.

Further information in relation to the overall service provided is available from the relevant coroner's office. Coroners are organised by district, usually according to the local authority. Names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses (where applicable) can be found in the Contacts section of this site or www.justice.ie. You can also make enquires to:

Coroner Service Implementation Team
Athlumney House
IDA Business Park
Johnstown
Navan
Co Meath

Telephone: (046) 9091323

Fax: (046) 9050560

Email: csitmail@justice.ie

Website: www.coroners.ie