Staffing issues prevent Central Mental Hospital clinical director from attending Cork court

The court heard a second outbreak of Covid-19 had brought "significant difficulty" with staff at the hospital

Professor Harry Kennedy (pictured) was expected to attend to give evidence in relation to admitting a man who is presently on 24-hour lockdown in Cork Prison. File photo: Collins

The clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital was unable to attend a court in Cork as directed by a judge because of staffing issues due to a second outbreak of Covid-19 at the hospital in Dundrum.

This emerged today at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where Professor Harry Kennedy was expected to attend to give evidence in relation to admitting a man who is presently on 24-hour lockdown in Cork Prison.