Head of forensic science agency criticises three-year wait for construction of new building

Plans to start building the new home of Forensic Science Ireland in 2019 have been criticised by the agency’s director-general, Sheila Willis.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show, Ms Willis said she was not “overly impressed” by the three-year wait for construction to begin on a new facility building, which has been discussed for more than 15 years.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has announced that funding will be available for the project from 2019 after a number of other justice projects are completed.

Ms Willis said: “At the launch of the DNA database, the minister acknowledged the need for a purpose-built laboratory was a matter of record.

“I’m pleased money was allocated to provide such a facility. I’m not overly impressed by the timeframe, so hopefully there will be some success in bringing the timeframe forward from 2019.”

Forensic Science Ireland is currently based out of An Garda Síochána’s Dublin headquarters.