Courts / Dublin / Report
State mental health facility has only fraction of capacity needed to treat inpatients, court hears
Summary
In a 2015 Dublin Circuit Court hearing, the State's sole mental health facility, the Central Mental Hospital (CMH), was found to have only one‑fifth of the inpatient capacity required for a 50‑year‑old man who had been acquitted of harassment by reason of insanity. Prosecutor Fergal Foley argued that the man, who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to six counts of harassment between 2012 and 2014, should remain in the community because he had made every effort to cooperate and take his medication, and that his underlying delusional disorder was now under control. Defence counsel Feargal Kavanagh agreed that outpatient treatment was sensible given the lack of inpatient capacity. A consultant forensic psychiatrist, Dr Conor O'Neill, confirmed that the man posed no immediate risk to himself or others and should not be committed to the CMH if he could manage treatment in the community.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: State mental health facility has only fraction of capacity needed to treat inpatients, court hears. Charges or matters: harassment of six people, including five members of his extended family, between 2012 and 2014. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- 2012 and 2014 Other
- 2015-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: harassment of six people, including five members of his extended family, between 2012 and 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Central Mental Hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Court
Topics
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