Woman to return home after 20 months in UK unit

A judge has granted a vulnerable young woman’s plea for her return to Ireland after being detained more than 20 months in a specialised psychiatric unit in England against her wishes.

The woman, on consent of the HSE and lawyers for herself, her parents, and a court-appointed guardian, is to return this week.

The 18-year-old, who has a borderline personality disorder making her prone to unpredictable episodes of self-harm, including trying to take her life, has spent almost all of the last four years in psychiatric units in Ireland and England.