Long-awaited Garda-mental health response team starts

The Government’s High Level Task Force also recommended a “prosecution avoidance policy” when gardaí come into contact with adults with mental health, addiction challenges or crisis situation who may have committed a minor offence. File picture

A groundbreaking joint garda-mental health crisis response team is about to start a “pre-pilot” phase — almost two years on from when it was supposed to be operational.

The Community Access Support Team (CAST), in Limerick Garda Division, was a “major recommendation” of a Government task force, which reported in September 2022.