Garda work at risk over doctor shortfall

THE country is facing a “looming crisis” due to a lack of forensic doctors available to do vital garda work, medical experts warned yesterday.

Many victims of sexual assault are being driven up to 100 miles for a medical examination because of a dire shortage of forensic doctors, experts said.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and leading forensic expert Professor Denis Cusack said they had repeatedly raised the problem with the Department of Justice, but nothing had been done. There are only three doctors for the whole of Dublin, with a similar shortage elsewhere.