Rights watchdog condemns mental hospital plans

CONTROVERSIAL Government plans to move the Central Mental Hospital to a new ‘super prison’ complex were dealt a blow yesterday after the State’s human rights watchdog came out strongly against the proposal.

The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said it was "gravely concerned" at the plan and said it could "undermine" the rights of mentally ill people.

In a wide-ranging and highly-critical report to the Government, the IHRC demanded an end to the "widespread use" of padded cells for mentally ill prisoners a commitment made by the Government in August 2002.