University Hospital Waterford (UHW) notified the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in November 2024 that it would withdraw its autopsy service for all coroner-directed autopsies from 1 January 2026.

The hospital currently carries out around 700 post-mortems per year on behalf of the Coroner’s Service on what is known as a “grace and favour” basis.

The service is being ended due to recruitment and workload issues, with the hospital struggling to fill three vacant pathologist positions amid a global shortage.

Three of the six pathologists working at the hospital have already opted-out of carrying out coroner-directed autopsies.

No plan has so far been announced for where these post-mortems will be carried out after a deadline which is now barely over two months away.

Niall Collins, minister of state in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, yesterday told TDs that the Department “is ready to assist in finding a solution to this issue in advance of the 1 January deadline”.

“As the post-mortem examination service is largely provided through the health service, a solution clearly cannot be found without significant input and engagement on the part of the HSE,” he said.

“The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will continue to engage with the Department of Health on this issue in order to assist in improving the delivery of this service, which is of critical importance to bereaved families who are engaged with the Coroner Service.”

Michael Murphy, the Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, said on Tuesday that the withdrawal of services at UHW would have “devastating human consequences for bereaved families across the south-east”.

He said: “This is not an administrative issue — it’s a human one. When a tragic death occurs, families need answers, compassion and dignity.

“Long delays in post-mortems mean long delays in funerals, leaving families unable to grieve properly or find closure. That is simply intolerable in a modern health and justice system.”