Judge’s hands ‘tied’ over treatment of vulnerable woman

A lengthy legal action over the treatment of a vulnerable young Irish woman, who was returned here last summer after being involuntarily detained more than 20 months in a specialised psychiatric unit in England, has concluded without a satisfactory outcome.

Mr Justice Seamus Noonan said, although reports showed the woman has refused to engage in recommended therapies and is not making progress, his hands were “tied” given his previous High Court finding that she has the necessary mental capacity to make decisions about her treatment.

The HSE and all the parties had acted in the woman’s best interests but, in light of the court’s findings and the fact the woman and HSE both wanted the case to be over, he must strike out the entire proceedings, he said.