Coroner blames inquest delays on ‘over-worked’ pathologists

A CORONER has hit out at the “over-worked and under-staffed” pathology service which is delaying the holding of inquests, describing the coroner system as the “Cinderella of the public service”.

The Coroners Society of Ireland has made representations to the departments of health and justice for extra resources for pathology services in a bid to cut delays, but to no avail, coroner for South Tipperary Paul Morris said yesterday.

He urged the families of people who die suddenly to write to their TDs about the “unsatisfactory service” in which pathologists have to work.