European committee probe to test legality of Irish Mental Health Act

THE European Parliament’s Petitions Committee is investigating claims by two former mental health patients that the Mental Health Act is in clear violation of international law.

MEP Kathy Sinnott, committee vice-president, is leading a number of MEPs on a fact-finding mission.

Ms Sinnott has arranged to meet John McCarthy and Mary Maddock, both from Cork, who believe recent changes in international and EU law call into question the legality of the Irish law.