UK pathologist hired as locum

An Isle of Man-based pathologist has been drafted in to carry out post-mortems around the country for the next week as all three of the State's forensic pathologists are on holidays.

It is the second time that Dr Richard Sheppard, a UK-based pathologist, has been asked to carry out such duties here because of staff shortages.

The Department of Justice yesterday confirmed that there had been a clash in holiday arrangements between the Chief State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, and two other acting deputy pathologists, Dr Margaret Bolster in Cork and Dr Declan Gilsenan in the midlands.

A spokeswoman said the Department would meet Dr Sheppard's accommodation and flight expenses, and he would be paid an undisclosed sum on a case-by-case basis.

The Department did not expect such staff shortages to arise again as a new Deputy State Pathologist was due to be appointed imminently, the spokeswoman added.

The Isle of Man government, meanwhile, confirmed that it would be left without the services of its only island-based forensic pathologist. A spokeswoman said the government would seek a replacement in Britain in the event of any suspicious deaths on the island.

Fine Gael's justice spokesman, Mr Jim O'Keeffe TD, described the incident as "highly embarrassing" for the Government and said staff shortages in such a sensitive area could have very serious consequences.

He also said the failure by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to fill the vacancy left following the retirement of Prof John Harbison well over a year ago was "quite ridiculous".