With the July 2023 completion of Forensic Science Ireland’s (FSI) long-awaited purpose-built facility, the 2023 report reflects on a landmark year for Forensic Science Ireland during which:-
Submissions to FSI increased by 5% overall compared to 2022.
FSI issued over 21,700 forensic reports.
FSI assisted in 171 body identification and Missing Person investigations.
11 missing persons were identified in 2023 with FSI’s assistance.
FSI identified Nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, as responsible for a cluster of overdoses in heroin users in November 2023.
FSI progressed the introduction of an upgraded AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System).
FSI progressed the introduction of a new system for automation of DNA processing data.
FSI secured accreditation to the ISO: 2017 17025 Quality Standard for several forensic services in the new building, including drugs testing, fingerprint mark enhancement and comparison, Documents & Handwriting, Blood Pattern Analysis and Damage assessment.
FSI’s new campus at Backweston Science Campus, Stacumny Lane, Celbridge. Co.Kildare (W23 FT2X) is a major investment in forensic services for the State, which play a crucial role in criminal investigations as well as DNA identification services for missing persons.
FSI has performed strongly in relation to its 2023 targets in spite of managing a complex transition to its new laboratory without any interruption to the provision of its important services.
FSI’s expertise and analysis of evidence helps to secure hundreds of convictions a year, in the most serious of criminal cases.
In line with legislative requirements, 10,691 DNA samples taken from individuals for the purposes of generating a DNA profile were destroyed in 2023. 6,590 profiles were removed from the National DNA Database in 2023. This is an indication that FSI is adhering to the important safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the DNA Database and the persons whose DNA data is recorded on it.
FSI will hosts the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS) in the Dublin Convention Centre in May 2025. EAFS is Europe’s biggest forensic science event, bringing together over 1,000 forensic science practitioners, stakeholders, and partners from across the forensic science community to showcase the depth and breadth of developments in forensic science. This is a great opportunity for FSI to showcase the range of talents and capabilities on the European stage and make EAFS 2025 a memorable event. It is significant that FSI’s hosting of EAFS in 2025 coincides with its 50-year anniversary.
The full Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) Annual Report For 2023 can be foundHERE.
The mandatory retirement age of prison officers has increased from 60 to 62, with effect from today.
The provisions which facilitate an increased mandatory retirement age for Gardaí will follow shortly, and, in the interim, the existing retirement age extension and retention arrangements in An Garda Síochána will continue to apply.
The increase is to the maximum retirement age, however people will still be able to continue to retire at 60, should they so wish.
These regulations were made possible by the enactment of Section 28 of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 on July 17th 2024. This step amended section 8 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 to provide that the acting Minister for Justice may (with the consent of the acting Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform) make regulations setting the mandatory retirement age of prisoner officers.
Note: The mandatory retirement age for firefighters and members of the Permanent Defence Forces has also increased from 60 to 62 with effect from today, August 19th 2024.
Garda interactions prior to the death of Tipperary pensioner Mrs Josephine (Joan) Ray, on Sunday afternoon August 4th 2024, at St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, North Co. Tipperary, is set to be referred to the Garda ombudsman.
Same decision comes after a series of investigations into the 89-year-old’s tragic murder. Two arrests, (a male and a female), made over the past number of days, saw both released without charge in connection with her murder.
The murdered pensioner’s case raises significant public interest; bringing earlier actions taken by gardaí under scrutent, with regards to the actual circumstances surrounding her murder. It is expected that the ombudsman will review such interactions thus ensuring greater accountability and transparency.
The government has, today Monday August 12th, announced increases to fines imposed on carriers who do not comply with their obligations to ensure passengers have appropriate travel documentation.
The Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, increases the fines on carriers to a maximum of €5,000 from the previous maximum of €3,000. Two orders have now been signed to give effect to these increased fines which will apply to carriers, such as airlines and ferry companies, with effect from August 12th 2024; observed by many as “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted”.
Earlier this year, a review of Ireland’s carrier liability standards was undertaken, as the level of fines had remained unchanged since the commencement of the legislation back in 2003. This review recommended an increase in penalties for carriers who do not take sufficient action to ensure passengers travelling to Ireland have appropriate travel documentation upon embarking.
These increases take account of inflation and bring Ireland into closer alignment with the penalties imposed on carriers across Europe.
It is intended to introduce further measures, including guidelines to assist carriers and consideration of the feasibility of a dynamic fines model, which recognises carriers who strongly enforce documentation requirements, at a later date.
A number of actions have been taken to reduce the number of people arriving without documents and to strengthen the immigration system as a whole. These measures include introducing visa requirements to travel to Ireland, from a number of additional states and the expansion of accelerated processing of International Protection applications.
The government has also provided specific funding for the Garda Airport Liaison Officer programme, and increased resources for the Border Management Unit (BMU) and the International Protection Office.
BMU and Garda National Immigration Bureau carry out doorstop operations at airports to target those who destroy documents in-flight. These are intelligence led operations based on trends observed by immigration officials, who will conduct initial document checks as passengers disembark an aircraft in order to establish a person’s true identity and nationality. Approximately 4,500 ‘doorstop’ operations were carried out in the first half of 2024.
Last year, saw a reduction of one third in the number of persons arriving at Dublin Airport without the correct documentation. The numbers arriving without the correct documentation for 2024 are on-course to approximately be 50% of that in 2022.
In addition, An Garda Síochána have arrested 115 people in the first half of 2024 for arriving without appropriate documentation and a significant number have been convicted.
Two persons, both understood to be aged in their 50s, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Mrs Josephine ‘Josie’ Ray, (née O’Meara), St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, North Co. Tipperary.
Mrs Ray, who was also affectionately known as Joan, was found murdered at her home in St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh on Sunday afternoon last.
This afternoon, Gardaí have confirmed that two people; a man and a woman, have since been arrested, as a result of Garda ongoing investigation.
Gardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mrs Ray and the people arrested remain detained, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and are being held at unnamed Garda stations in the southern region.
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