Pilot Limerick Garda-HSE crisis intervention team has 'major impact'

Minister of state Mary Butler said 'since its launch in January 2025, the CAST team, comprising uniformed gardaí and HSE mental health nurses, has had 196 interactions, including 35 diversions from emergency departments and three from arrest'. Picture: Moya Nolan

A ground-breaking pilot crisis intervention team comprising gardaí and mental health nurses has had almost 200 interactions with people since it started in January.

Local assessments estimate that almost 80% of those interactions have had a “major impact” on the people in crisis, according to minister of state Mary Butler.