The State Pathologist's Office has ordered that no state cases be sent to Waterford mortuary, due to contamination fears of potential evidence.
Post-mortems that are required for criminal investigations in the South East will now be carried out in alternative facilities.
The Department of Justice says it comes in light of the concerns expressed by four consultant pathologists.
They stated that dead bodies had been left decomposing on trolleys in the corridors of the hospital mortuary due to lack of space.
Sinn Feín TD, David Cullinane, says there are many questions that remain unanswered.
"This is a very serious development. It is a disgrace that it has come to this."
"The Hospital Group, hospital management, and the HSE knew about the dreadful conditions at the mortuary since 2004 and yet, building works have still not commenced for a new facility."
"The HSE and the Department have very serious questions to answer."
"They must come before the Oireachtas Health Committee and we need a full, independent inquiry into services at the mortuary."
