Chris Enright to head Forensic Science Ireland next year

Chris Enright has been appointed as director-general of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan announced Mr Enright’s appointment in Dublin this morning.

He said: “I am delighted to announce that Chris Enright will be joining Forensic Science Ireland in early 2018 as its new Director General. The role that FSI plays in the investigation and prosecution of crime is an absolutely vital one.

“Chris is taking over at a time when we are beginning to see the benefits of renewed investment following the financial crisis. We have already recruited 15 additional scientists and analysts to work in FSI over the past 2 years. Most importantly, work has begun on a state-of-the-art new laboratory for FSI, which I know everyone will acknowledge has been badly needed for a number of years.

“The coming together of FSI and the Garda Technical Bureau in this new custom-built facility gives effect to a major recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate as part of the ongoing programme of Garda reform.”

Mr Flanagan said the new laboratory would ensure that FSI had the space and facilities it needed to carry out the range of forensic work, and would provide a bespoke home for the DNA database.

He added: “I want to take this opportunity to again thank Chris’s predecessor Sheila Willis, following her retirement earlier this year, for her decades of service, and to wish Chris every success in this new role.”