A DEPUTY forensic pathologist is expected to be appointed by the middle of this month to assist the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, has announced.
The announcement comes after the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, contacted Mrs Owen when it emerged that the body of a Tralee teenager, James Healy, had lain for 24 hours on waste ground where it was discovered on Wednesday.
The Tanaiste said he was "appalled" at the length of time the body was left in situ.
Dr Harbison could not be contacted yesterday. However, Garda sources pointed out that delays in the removal of bodies were the norm because of the amount of forensic tests carried out by gardai. The pathologist was usually not required until the Garda forensic examinations were completed.
Mrs Owen admitted in the Dail on Thursday that there had been difficulties in filling the post of deputy State pathologist. Dr Margaret Bolster was nominated in June 1995, but resigned last June "because she was not prepared to do State pathology work in all parts of the country".
The post of deputy State pathologist was advertised by the Civil Service Commission in January with a closing date for applications of March 6th. The job description said the position would require that the appointee be based at the new forensic pathology laboratories in Beaumont, Dublin, and be prepared to attend death scenes throughout the State. It is understood a number of applications have been received.
On Thursday night the Minister told the Dail that Dr Harbison had been asked repeatedly by Department of Justice officials to nominate a deputy.
She said: "Other pathologists have since been nominated by the State Pathologist to fill the post for short periods to cover postmortems. But there is no temporary deputy State pathologist at present, even though Dr Harbison has been asked repeatedly by officers from my Department to nominate one.
"It seems to be proving very difficult to get any suitably qualified person to take on the job on a temporary basis even though some of the pathologists are available on once-off occasions."