Morris v. Dublin City Coroner [1999] IEHC 256; [2000] 3 IR 592 (8th October, 1999)

Morris v. Dublin City Coroner [1999] IEHC 256; [2000] 3 IR 592 (8th October, 1999)

The coroner lacks statutory authority to grant anonymity to Garda witnesses or exclude identification details from forensic reports at an inquest; such powers are not provided by the Coroners Act, 1962, and any remedy for personal security concerns must be legislated, not judicially created.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2000] 3 IR 592
Parties
Applicant: Morris and Another; Respondent: Dublin City Coroner
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Final Judgment
Outcome
Orders of Certiorari granted; coroner's decisions quashed.
Legal Topics
Witness Anonymity, Public Hearings, Coroners Act Compliance, Personal Security of Witnesses
Administrative Law Coroners Law Constitutional Law Witness Anonymity Public Hearings Coroners Act Compliance Personal Security of Witnesses

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Morris and Another

Applicant

Dublin City Coroner

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the coroner has statutory power to grant anonymity to Garda witnesses at an inquest
  2. 2 Whether the coroner can exclude identification of weapons and witnesses in forensic and ballistic reports
  3. 3 Whether the coroner's rulings comply with the Coroners Act, 1962 and principles of natural justice

Ratio Decidendi

The coroner lacks statutory authority to grant anonymity to Garda witnesses or exclude identification details from forensic reports at an inquest; such powers are not provided by the Coroners Act, 1962, and any remedy for personal security concerns must be legislated, not judicially created.

Court Disposition

Orders of Certiorari granted; coroner's decisions quashed.

Orders

  • Quashing of coroner's ruling permitting Garda witnesses to testify with anonymity.
  • Quashing of coroner's ruling permitting exclusion of identification details from forensic and ballistic reports.