Dr Linda Mulligan has been appointed as Chief State Pathologist, having held the position on an interim basis since 2019.

The appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

Dr Mulligan (pictured) has more than 18 years of national and international experience in forensic pathology, histo-pathology and clinical medicine.

Huge value

“Dr Mulligan’s deep experience will be of huge value in this vital role and I wish her well in her work and in her continued leadership of the office,” said Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

“I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of establishing our new team and developing a strategic plan for the office, with a firm focus on continuing to provide the highest quality national forensic pathology service to the coroners, An Garda Síochána, the criminal justice system and, most importantly, to the families of the deceased,” said Dr Mulligan.

The Office of the State Pathologist provides independent expert advice on issues relating to forensic pathology. A forensic pathologist is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Its annual report for 2019 had described recruitment to senior positions at the agency as “challenging in the context of a worldwide shortage of forensic pathologists”.