The Office of the State Pathologist carries out work to provide independent expert evidence which may be used in the prosecution of offences such as homicides or in certain cases in inquests held by a coroner. In such cases the report of the pathologist is open to scrutiny.
As Minister for Justice and Equality, I have no role in criminal trials or in the running of inquests which are independent processes. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the operation of these processes in individual cases. Moreover, I am precluded from commenting on matters which may impinge on ongoing proceedings.