A group of highly trained volunteers well known across Ireland for finding missing people is “baffled” after being refused a place on an official list of search and rescue groups.
The decision, by the Stormont Department of Justice, means K9 Search and Rescue NI cannot be tasked by state agencies to help find missing people. The snub comes despite the fact the outfit has been involved in a large number of specialist searches including during the aftermath of the Creeslough explosion as well as a mission to earthquake struck Turkey. They have also taken part in lower profile searches across Northern Ireland.
Ryan Gray from the K9 group told Belfast Live: “The service we can provide has proven it can save lives or return loved ones back to families. We will now make a direct appeal to the justice minister in hope she will allow us to be tasked by the statuary authorities to help the people of Northern Ireland. We aren’t here to step on any other search and rescue teams’ toes, just to work alongside them for everyone’s benefit.”
It is understood the DoJ has told K9 there is no gap in capacity, as there is another search team that have dogs, but K9 have argued “let’s have two for better resilience if, like us, they do stuff overseas”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said: “After a review of the information provided by K9 Search and Rescue in their appeal, the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue (NISAR) Policy Group concluded that the original decision will be upheld.
“The NISAR Policy Group review confirmed that the initial determination was made in accordance with the criteria set out in the application process. The information and evidence presented in their appeal did not provide sufficient grounds to alter the original decision.”
In a Facebook post, K9 Search and Rescue Northern Ireland said they are “both baffled and deeply dismayed by the Department of Justice NI decision to reject a professional search and rescue team that specialises in locating missing persons”.
The post added: “This decision not only undermines the vital work of trained search professionals but also represents a serious injustice to the people of Northern Ireland. K9 Search and Rescue NI is a dedicated team of highly skilled volunteers who work alongside emergency services to provide critical search capabilities, particularly in high-risk missing person cases. The refusal to recognise or support our expertise is a significant setback in ensuring the best possible response to those in need.
“The Department of Justice has declined to allow K9 Search and Rescue Northern Ireland to join the Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Practitioners Group, which means statutory authorities cannot officially task us with search operations.
“We cannot understand why the DOJ NI would turn down a team that is trained, professional, and committed to saving lives. This decision does not serve the public interest, and we will be appealing directly to the Justice Minister to reconsider this matter.
"We will now make a final appeal to Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA. The decision will rest with Mrs Long as to whether we can be officially tasked by statutory authorities to save lives - free of charge.
“The team remains committed to its mission of helping families and communities across Northern Ireland and urges the DOJ NI to rethink this decision in the best interests of public safety.”
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