Courts / Ireland / Report
Emergency order secured for woman living in 'truly awful' squalor
Summary
The High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Peter Kelly, granted the HSE an emergency order to detain a woman in hospital and provide essential treatment. The woman, in her sixties, had been living in "truly awful" and "dire" conditions, with her feet infected and gangrenous, and her home infested with flies, maggots, litter and urine. She had been admitted earlier in the month and was uncooperative, raising concerns that she might leave the facility. The judge noted possible cognitive issues and lack of capacity to decide for herself. The order allows the HSE to detain her in the current hospital or any other hospital where she receives treatment, and gives her treating physicians authority to administer necessary care. It also authorises Gardai to detain her if she absconds, and appoints an independent medical visitor and a guardian ad litem. The case will be heard next week.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Emergency order secured for woman living in 'truly awful' squalor. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 2020-02-21 Publication
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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