Concern as pathologist post empty for months
SOCIAL Democrat co-leader Catherine Murphy has expressed grave concern that the crucial roles of Chief and Deputy Chief State Pathologist are still empty six months after being advertised.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan revealed the situation after queries by Ms Murphy as to when the posts would be filled on a permanent full-time basis.
Mr Flanagan said the posts were advertised in September 2019 but admitted the recruitment process is ‘still ongoing’ as it had so far ‘failed to identify a suitable candidate’.
Ms Murphy said: ‘This is a matter of grave concern. Both Marie Cassidy and John Harbison were critical reassuring presences when a major crime was committed. Both played key roles in major criminal trials. It is not acceptable in a modern state that this role is unfilled.’
The minister, she added, ‘must move swiftly to allay public concerns on the matter’ and noted: ‘There is also obviously serious need for reform in terms of how the office is resourced.’
In his defence, Mr Flanagan said a report from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland published last year ‘found that a shortage of suitably qualified pathologists is a concern worldwide’.
The report identified a range of issues, including that remuneration levels were not attractive compared to those available to pathologists working in hospital settings in Ireland or other countries.
The State Pathologist’s Office, which deals with more than 200 suspicious deaths each year, has been run on a shoestring for decades.
Mr Flanagan said in this regard that his officials had identified
‘the importance of a national training scheme for ensuring selfsufficiency in forensic pathology’.
And, he added, his department ‘has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which sanctioned an increased remuneration package for the most recent competition’.
‘My officials are also engaging with the Medical Council with a view to recognising pathology as a specialism and the other recommendations in the report will also be progressed in consultation with other key stakeholders,’ he said.