Mental health body gets hospital closure plans

PLANS to close a Victorian-era psychiatric hospital in Killarney, which has been earmarked for closure for more than 10 years, have finally been received by the Mental Health Commission (MHC).

As highlighted in the Irish Examiner’s recent special investigation on mental health services, patients are still being transferred from Tralee’s psychiatric unit to the old hospital, despite the MHC calling it unfit for purpose in its inspection reports.

Currently about 20 elderly patients live full-time in a sprawling, dilapidated building.