Dr Ciarán Seoighe

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O’Callaghan yesterday announced the appointment, which takes effect on 6 October 2025.

Dr Seoighe brings senior experience in the fields of science and research, most recently as deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.

He joined Science Foundation Ireland in 2018, which amalgamated with the Irish Research Council to form Taighde Éireann in 2024.

He has led the strategy and transformation directorate and plays a key role in shaping Ireland’s strategic direction in areas such as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Prior to this, Dr Seoighe spent nearly two decades as a global management consultant advising leading organisations across ICT, finance and more. 

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I am extremely pleased to announce that Dr Ciarán Seoighe has been appointed director general of Forensic Science Ireland.

“Dr Seoighe brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that makes him the ideal candidate for this role.

“FSI continues to play a significant role in the investigation and prosecution of crime. Recent advances in forensic science have had an enormous impact on the ability of the criminal justice system to deliver justice.

“I look forward to working with Dr Seoighe in his new role and continuing to support FSI in its work.”

The minister praised Dr Seoighe’s immediate predecessor, Chris Enright, for his leadership of the organisation during his seven years as director general of FSI.

“I would like to pay tribute to Chris Enright for his leadership and guidance of FSI during his tenure as director general,” he said.

“Chris oversaw the construction of a new purpose-built campus for FSI providing state-of-the-art facilities for the recovery and analysis of trace evidence while also facilitating FSI’s broad range of functions including chemical analysis, physical analysis and DNA and biological analysis services.

“This year FSI hosted Europe’s largest forensic science event reflecting its standing in the forensic science community. This is a testament to the excellent work done by Chris and his predecessors, and I would like to wish him well in the future.”

He also paid tribute to Dr Geraldine O’Donnell, who has served as acting director general since January this year.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I want to thank Dr Geraldine O’Donnell for her leadership of FSI as acting director general since January this year.

“Dr O’Donnell is retiring shortly at the end of a distinguished career at FSI and I want to wish her and her family a long and happy retirement.”