Criticism of approach of gardaí voiced almost from the start of the investigation, with identification of Ian Bailey as a suspect also dogged by controversy
“We were saddened to hear of the passing of Prof John Harbison, Ireland s first State forensic pathologist with over 30 years of service,” a spokesperson for the college wrote.
“Prof Harbison graduated from Trinity in medicine in 1960 and lectured in medical jurisprudence for many years with us. Rest in Peace.”
Among the most high profile cases on which his services were utilised were the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation, the Kerry babies case, the and the investigation into the Grangegorman killings.
The Dublin-born doctor in 1974 became the State’s first forensic pathologist.
Prof Harbison was born in the Howth area of north Co Dublin.