Garda cases at risk over doctor shortfall

GARDA investigations could be jeopardised by the falling number of doctors able and willing to work for the Garda Síochána, it was claimed yesterday.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the Professor of Forensic and Legal Medicine at UCD, Denis Cusack, said the State had put no system in place to deal with the drop-off in doctors assisting garda investigations, despite warnings from them.

Doctors involved in garda work carry out examinations in sexual assault and drink-driving cases, deal with people with mental health difficulties and provide medication to people in custody.

Dr Ronan Boland of the IMO said that under the current system there was no contractual relationship between the doctor and the Garda Síochána.

“It has been done down the years on an ad hoc basis by individual doctors. It’s been done more out of civic duty by the majority of doctors rather than the existence of a fee structure.”

He said fewer doctors were willing to do the work, which often involved unsocial hours, unpleasant and violent situations and lengthy court obligations.

He said the lack of doctors created the risk of endangering garda investigations, a risk that would increase with falling numbers of doctors.

“Certainly the longer it takes to obtain appropriate medical evidence, whether a blood sample from a suspected drunken driver or forensic evidence from an alleged victim of sexual assault, the longer the time interval between the offence taking place and supportive medical evidence being obtained, the greater the likelihood that evidence will not be successfully obtained.”

Dr Boland, who is vice-chair of the IMO national GP committee, said blood-alcohol levels drop hour on hour.

“Likewise, fresh specimens in a sexual assault case would be less likely with each hour that passes and certainly I have heard anecdotal evidence of women being driven from Mayo, or far reaches of Galway to Limerick or even Cork and that is completely nonsensical.”

Prof Cusack said there was a small number of dedicated doctors providing the service: “There is no provision for this service in the future when those doctors for whatever reason, retirement or whatever, finish their practice.”

He agreed investigations could be affected: “It would be a pity to wait until there is a serious lapse in forensic medical services ... and the investigation of crime being badly affected by a lack of a forensic doctor being available.”