Consultant silenced by HSE, claims TD

THE HSE has been accused of “bullying and silencing” a senior consultant who spoke out against the imminent closure of a 49-bed acute psychiatric unit.

The allegation was made yesterday by Tipperary South TD Seamus Healy, who said consultant psychiatrist Dr Alan Moore had been subjected to “bullying of the worst kind”.

Earlier this year, Dr Moore led a campaign of opposition to the closure of St Michael’s acute psychiatric unit in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. The move was confirmed last week by the HSE, with inpatient beds earmarked for acute psychiatric cases set to be transferred to Ennis, Co Clare, and Kilkenny.