Garda mental health services rated just five out of 10

The Garda mental health services have been given a “five out of 10” by a psychologist amid warnings from frontline supervisors that they cannot cope with ever-increasing work-related stress.

The issue of mental health has dominated the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), which heard that up to seven sudden deaths, suspected to be suicides, have taken place in the force in little over a year.

Addressing the conference in Carlow, clinical psychologist Eddie Murphy said he conducted an assessment of the various welfare and mental health services in the organisation.