Gardai will still drive State Pathologist

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday said he would not rule out the possibility of State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy still being driven by Garda drivers to some crime scenes in remote locations.

Ms Cassidy said on Wednesday that her chauffeur- driven vehicle had recently been withdrawn as a result of cutbacks.

Speaking at a Garda passing out ceremony at the Garda training college in Templemore, Co Tipperary, Mr McDowell said the Garda will facilitate her when she needs assistance getting to the scene of any particular crime.

"There are some crime scenes that are very convenient and wouldn't require any special arrangements and there are others which might. And I have no doubt that she has the full goodwill of An Garda Síochána in making appropriate arrangements.

"She's not the only pathologist, of course. Other pathologists on occasion do other work, so it's not a question of a full-time chauffeur being available to every pathologist."

Dr Cassidy said she was now driving up to four hours to murder scenes, which would put her under extra pressure. Pathologists always worried about making mistakes because of tiredness, she said.

Meanwhile, Mr McDowell also revealed yesterday that his Department had this week received a cheque for €5.8 million from National Irish Bank (NIB) as payment for the costs of an inquiry by High Court-appointed inspectors into the bank.

The inspectors were appointed in 1998 and when Mr Justice Peter Kelly presented his report last July, he ordered NIB to pay the costs.

Mr McDowell said the case underlined the fact "that the taxpayer shouldn't always be caught for the costs of these inspections.

"I'm very glad that the full cost of this particular investigation has been borne by the bank, whose behaviour brought it about, and that the money has now been lodged to the Exchequer.

"It's the first time that it's happened during my ministry. I think it serves as a warning rather than as a precedent to others that they will pay heavily if they are the subject of an investigation."

Mr McDowell added that the €20 million investment in the Garda College was well under way and that most of the project will be complete before the end of this year.

The work, which involves the construction of a new four-storey block to house dining and educational facilities, would be finished before the end of the year despite statements to the contrary by Opposition politicians.

The building project, which the Minster visited yesterday along with Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, will accommodate the additional recruits who will go through the college in the next three years as the Government increases the number of gardaí by 2,000 to 14,000.

Mr McDowell and Mr Conroy presented graduation certificates to 149 gardaí at yesterday's ceremony in Templemore.