Alarm at Garda use of mental health powers

MHC chairman John Farrelly said: “It was very disappointing to see again in 2022 that the majority of applications to involuntary detain from the community was by An Garda Síochána as opposed to a healthcare authorised officer." Picture: Jason Clarke

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has again expressed alarm at the rising level of involuntary detentions initiated by gardaí and has called for the matter to be addressed “at the highest levels”.

The commission said when people are going through a mental health crisis they should be met by a health professional and “not a law enforcement officer”.