THE Dublin County Coroner, Dr Bartley Sheehan, yesterday apologised to the bereaved families of nine people for the speed of the inquest proceedings into their violent deaths.
His comments came after a 68 minute hearing at the Coroner's Court in Swords, where identification and medical evidence was heard in relation to a litany of killings around the capital.
Each case was adjourned for six months after senior gardai confirmed that criminal proceedings were either active or being considered in each, beginning with the case of journalist Veronica Guerin, who was murdered last June.
Dr Sheehan said: "In one hour we have dealt with nine tragic deaths. It is now appropriate for me to make a remark about these, but they are all tragic for families and a very large number of people are affected.
"The circumstances surrounding them reflect a certain change in our society, evident to most people over a period of time, and hopefully, if nothing else, this concentration of terrible things has generated a movement in society to ensure that these things may not happen in future.
"I regret any person feeling diminished by the speed of these proceedings. I thank the guards for their usual efficiency and the manner in which they presented these matters. I also thank Dr Harbison for his very detailed work, which he carries out with great good humour and under considerable pressure."
The court heard how the body of Ms Marilyn Rynn (41), a civil servant of Brookhaven Drive, Blanchardstown, was found lying in Tolka Valley Park in January 1996, two weeks after her disappearance. Clothing and other items found on the body indicated her identity, while formal identification was not possible due to the condition of the body, according to Det Insp Derek Byrne of Cabra Garda station.
DNA samples indicated that she was the natural child of Mr add Mrs Stephen and Christine Rynn. However, dental records were also necessary to confirm her identity, he said.
Dr Hugh Barry, a consultant dental surgeon, concluded from Ms Rynn's dental records and the remains that there was "a high degree of probability that they were one and the same". Prof John Harbison, State Pathologist, said the postmortem examination revealed that she had died from strangulation, mode unspecified.
Det Insp Byrne said Ms Rynn was last seen alive following a party at 2.50 a.m. on December 22nd, 1995, and it was believed she was killed before 4 a.m.
However, the time of death was officially estimated as having occurred between that night and January 7th 1996, when her body was found near her home.
Mr Franco Sacco, who owned a chain of Italian chip shops in south Dublin, was found dead in a bedroom of his home in Coolamber Park, Terenure, on the evening of March 21st this year.
Dr Harbison confirmed that Mr Sacco died from laceration of the brain and a fractured skull, due to a single shot to the left of the head. Two women have been charged in connection with his death.
Ms Miriam O'Donohoe (42), of Ashfield Gardens, Mulhuddart, died from asphyxia due to compression of the larynx by the application of force on her chin and neck, Dr Harbison said. Her body was found on January 27th. A man has been charged with her killing.
Mr Mark Dwyer (22), of Foster Terrace, Ballybough, died as a result of a single shot to the back of the head, a postmortem examination showed. His body was found in a field at Scribblestown, Dunsink, last December 5th. Two men were charged in relation to his death this week.
The body of Mr David Hammond (24) of Curran Park, Balbriggan, was found lying in grass at The Green, Pump Lane, Balbriggan, on April 27th last year. He died from a single stab wound to the left side of the chest and into the heart.
Mr David Cunningham (19) of Drumheath Avenue, Mulhuddart, died on June 28th last year, from shock and haemorrhage caused by a single stab wound to the chest, Dr Harbison said.
Mr John McCartby, whose body was found at a travellers' halting site in west Tallaght last July 15th, died due to bleeding from a bullet wound to his heart and both lungs.
Mr Timothy Joyce (46), with an address at a caravan site in Kent, England, died last November 9th, due to shock and haemorrhage caused by the division of a left coronary artery and a single stab wound to the neck.