Mental hospital’s proximity to prison is ‘extraordinary’

PSYCHIATRIC nurses have described as “extraordinary” the decision to site a new central mental hospital on the same campus as a planned super prison.

As residents living close to the site of the proposed facilities in north Dublin prepare a campaign of action, health professionals have warned the placing of the two in such close proximity is a backward step.

Tim O’Malley, the minister of state responsible for mental health, said the hospital will be constructed on its own grounds, with a separate entrance and road access.