'No other option' but to shut east Cork mental health service

There was a plan to refurbish the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton but serious concerns emerged that any level of such refurbishment could not bring the building to the standard required.

"There was no other option", but to close the Owenacurra Centre, the Oireachtas Health Committee will hear today.

Michael Fitzgerald, HSE chief officer for Cork Kerry Community is to tell the committee that the Mental Health Services Continuing Care Unit in Midleton, Co Cork, was not suitable for use.