by Chris Ashmore

A FILE is to be sent to the Minister for Justice requesting that an inquest be held into the death of a Ramelton man whose body has never been recovered since he went missing after going out in a kayak off the Donegal coast last October.

On Friday, what is known as a submissions hearing into the disappearance of accountant Paul Buchanan was held at Letterkenny Coroner’s Court.

Outlining matters, the Coroner for Donegal, Dr. Denis McCauley, explained that Mr. Buchanan had gone out kayaking on October 3, 2024, but went missing and despite extensive searches his body was ever found.

This has left his family in a state of limbo from the point of view that the evidence shows that he went to work, had left work with the intention of kayaking, and unfortunately had never returned.

Normally, in the case of a missing person, no inquest can be held for seven years (there are some exceptions), and Mr. McCauley described the submissions hearing – which has the approval of the family – as being “the best route of travel”.

This involves submitting a file to the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, with all the relevant information to request an inquest be held and the Minister will then make a decision on whether to instruct the coroner to do so.

If the inquest is held this would then permit, the hearing was told, the issuing of a death certificate which in turn will permit the processing of Mr. Buchanan’s sad passing in a much more efficient way.

Elaborating, Mr. McCauley said that the Minister would be presented with evidence that would include a statement (deposition) from the late Mr. Buchanan’s wife, Bernadette. Other depositions will include those from a member of the coast guard, and a number of people who had seen Mr. Buchanan kayaking near Gola Island when the sea started getting rough.

TORY ISLAND

Investigating Garda Felicia Coll told the submissions hearing that she had gone to Magheragallon in Gweedore where Mr. Buchanan had gone kayaking from and had found his car there.

The kayak was subsequently found off Tory Island.

Glenties-based Inspector Michael Brady said that because there has been no body discovered the gardaí have moved now to the compilation of an inquest file, and to provide documentation for the Minister for Justice to view.

“We can establish that there is no sign of life from an evidential viewpoint,” he stated, noting that this included financial background checks that had seen no movements of consequence, and that there had been no use of his passport or travel documentation.

Mr. McCauley noted that the family had made an approach in relation to Section 23 of the Coroner’s Act which permits the submission hearing.

He requested Marshall McCloughan, the solicitor acting on behalf of the family, to take a statement from Bernadette Buchanan.

Mc. McCauley said he would have a summary along with draft depositions that would be submitted to the Minister with a covering letter.

Mr Buchanan, a married father of two, was a well known and popular figure in his locality and was actively involved in a number of groups and organisations, including Milford GAA club.