Mental Health Commission set to explain planned Owenacurra closure to Oireachtas committee

The MHC is also set to appear before the Public Accounts Committee at some stage in the new year

Owenacurra had been slated for closure in June 2021 — however, following a determined protest campaign by its residents, their families and the local community – the facility has never actually shut its doors. File picture: Howard Crowdy

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) is set to appear before an Oireachtas committee to discuss its role regarding the controversial closure of the Owenacurra mental health facility for the first time next week.

The commission has come under concerted pressure in recent weeks to explain its stance regarding the closure, given its reports had repeatedly been used as justification for that closure despite other facilities in Cork having been given poorer compliance ratings by the MHC than the Midleton centre.