Lost Property- A year and a day

Popsy

Hi all,

I wonder if you can shed some light on the rules and regulations around finding lost property.

I found a wedding ring last year and handed it into the Garda station. I subsequently posted the found item on 5 different lost and found sites. No one came forward. At the time the Garda told me I could claim the ring a year and a day after handing it in if it wasn't claimed.

Last night I went to collect the ring and was told it was sent to auction in January, 8 months after I handed it in. The Garda told me he was sorry but they just don't hold on to items like that anymore.

Is the year and a day rule written into law somewhere or is it just a rule made up as common courtesy? I know theres nothing I can do about it now, but I'm just curious as to when things changed.

Thanks

234

This is purely academic, but there was a similar situation in the UK in Parker v British Airways: man found bracelet in airport, dropped it into a BA desk making it clear that he wanted it if it wasn't claimed, leaving his contact info, the court held that he had the superior claim to BA and they were wrong to have sold it.

Not sure what he law regarding chattels is in Ireland.

McCrack

8 months doesn't sound right to me, year and a day rule I have heard before but I don't know it's basis. I'd contact the supt for that garda stations district in writing and ask him or her to clarify the situation. I wouldn't be satisfied with an apology from the garda.

Depending on the reply from the supt consider taking the matter up with the GSOC.

keano007

Afaik it was reduced to 6 weeks for a time recently. There was an issue though so it was put back to a year and a day!