Clinical director admits HSE has breached its duties over mentally ill prisoner

The judge said: “Maybe I should tell the people of Cork I have to let him out.”

Professor Harry Kennedy (pictured) said the Central Mental Hospital has had two outbreaks of Covid and the facility is unable to admit or discharge (patients. File hoto: Garrett White / Collins

The clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) admitted that the HSE is in breach of its statutory obligations by not admitted a mentally ill prisoner whose condition is deteriorating in 24-hour lockup in jail.

There is a finding by a forensic psychiatrist dating back to December 7, 2020, that the prisoner is unfit to plead to assault charges and he needs to be in the CMH.