Minister refuses to engage 'any further' on closure of Owenacurra centre

Mental Health Minister Mary Butler said decision to close facility would not be reversed

The Owenacurra Centre in Midleton: Mental Health Minister Butler previously said that keeping the centre open would not be 'appropriate or viable', and added that two independent reports had concluded that a refurbishment alone would not bring Owenacurra up to standard.

The minister for mental health has refused to engage "any further" on the closure of the Owenacurra centre, despite a Dáil committee calling for that decision to be reversed.

Mary Butler has faced repeated calls for a u-turn on the decision, which will see residents moved to different parts of Cork, despite many having lived there for years.