Probe into claims cocaine, cannabis are being smuggled into psychiatric unit

Complaints have been made to gardaí about illegal drugs being smuggled into a hospital in the West for use by patients in the psychiatric wing.

The Mayo Garda Drugs Unit visited the mental health unit at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar after complaints were made about cocaine and cannabis being brought in by the public.

The HSE West say “swift and appropriate action” has been taken, but a former patient at the hospital said that when she first told staff, “they did not want to know”.