Dr Linda Mulligan

The service struggled for a number of years to fill important vacancies, but last year reported that it had found two new deputy State pathologists to fill the remaining gaps.

One of those deputy State pathologists resigned in November 2023, leaving a vacant post, the OSP said in its 2023 annual report.

It ended the year with a chief State pathologist, two State pathologists, one deputy State pathologist and a locum State pathologist based in Cork.

The OSP handled 400 cases over the course of the year, slightly down on 417 cases in 2022, with State forensic cases comprising 48 per cent of the total caseload.

Professor Linda Mulligan, the chief State pathologist, said: “The support and governance offered by minister McEntee and the Department of Justice have allowed us to continue to expand and strengthen the work that we do.

“We will keep striving towards the highest standards of practice in forensic pathology with the ultimate aim of providing the best possible service to bereaved families and loved ones across Ireland, as well as the coroners, An Garda Síochána and the courts.”

Justice minister Helen McEntee said: “The dedication and professionalism of Professor Linda Mulligan and her team are reflected in the wide-ranging influence of their work.

“In addition to their crucial work on 400 cases in 2023, the Office of the State Pathologist continues to provide forensic advice to a variety of groups and to educate government bodies, An Garda Síochána, the military police, and medical schools in universities across Ireland on the field of forensic pathology.”