Menu
30/07/2008
Delegates Visit Controversial Mental Hospital Site
Irish political representatives visited the controversial site for the proposed new Central Mental Hospital, in Dublin yesterday.
Senators and TDs toured the Thornton Hall site, close to where a new "super prison" is being constructed.
The delegates, all members of the Oireachtas Health Committee, heard a presentation from the Irish Mental Health Coalition and the Mental Health Commission, who outlined their concerns about the relocation.
A report compiled by the Irish Mental Health Coalition, entitled Patients Not Prisoners, has slammed the Thornton Hall development and received the backing of CMH Carer's Group and Schizophrenia Ireland.
Coalition Chairman John Saunders called on the committee to recommend the Government reverse its plan to relocate the Central Mental Hospital from Dundrum.
Mental health campaigners are concerned such a move would stigmatise and criminalise people with mental health problems.
Mr Saunders said: "Placing the Central Mental Hospital in a rural location beside the largest prison in the state is entirely incompatible with the rehabilitative principles of mental health services."
Minister of State for Mental Health, John Moloney, has previously stressed that the hospital redevelopment is a stand-alone project, independent of the new prison.
The Minister said the two facilities would have separate entrances and road access, and be run by the HSE.
Last week, the same political delegation visited the current Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum.
(PR/JM)
Senators and TDs toured the Thornton Hall site, close to where a new "super prison" is being constructed.
The delegates, all members of the Oireachtas Health Committee, heard a presentation from the Irish Mental Health Coalition and the Mental Health Commission, who outlined their concerns about the relocation.
A report compiled by the Irish Mental Health Coalition, entitled Patients Not Prisoners, has slammed the Thornton Hall development and received the backing of CMH Carer's Group and Schizophrenia Ireland.
Coalition Chairman John Saunders called on the committee to recommend the Government reverse its plan to relocate the Central Mental Hospital from Dundrum.
Mental health campaigners are concerned such a move would stigmatise and criminalise people with mental health problems.
Mr Saunders said: "Placing the Central Mental Hospital in a rural location beside the largest prison in the state is entirely incompatible with the rehabilitative principles of mental health services."
Minister of State for Mental Health, John Moloney, has previously stressed that the hospital redevelopment is a stand-alone project, independent of the new prison.
The Minister said the two facilities would have separate entrances and road access, and be run by the HSE.
Last week, the same political delegation visited the current Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum.
(PR/JM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 May 2012
Independent Panel To Decide On John Gallagher Case
Legal experts have said that an independent panel of doctors and experts will be tasked with deciding whether John Gallagher ought to be further detained, following his return to the Central Mental Hospital.
Independent Panel To Decide On John Gallagher Case
Legal experts have said that an independent panel of doctors and experts will be tasked with deciding whether John Gallagher ought to be further detained, following his return to the Central Mental Hospital.
10 September 2014
Irish Association of Suicidology Say Stigma Is A Key issue
The President of the Irish Association of Suicidology has said that stigma is one of the key issues facing people when seeking assistance with mental and emotional health issues.
Irish Association of Suicidology Say Stigma Is A Key issue
The President of the Irish Association of Suicidology has said that stigma is one of the key issues facing people when seeking assistance with mental and emotional health issues.
11 October 2013
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
29 November 2019
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
