asked the Minister for Health if he would make a statement on the reported escape this morning of two inmates from Dundrum Central Mental Hospital and if the report that arms were used in the course of the escape is correct.
Private Notice Question. - Escape from Mental Hospital.
The preliminary reports I have received indicate that at approximately 3 a.m. this morning two patients overpowered three attendants who were on duty in the hospital. One of the patients is reported to have had a gun. The patients took a bunch of keys from one of the attendants and subsequently made their way into the grounds of the hospital where they parted company. One patient was subsequently captured in the grounds but the other succeeded in opening a gate with the keys which had been taken from the attendant. This patient is still at large and the Garda are searching for him. I am awaiting further details in the matter and, in the circumstances, I consider that I should not add to this statement.
Is the Minister aware of the anxiety and fear of people living in this area of such escapes and will he tell the House what steps he has taken to ensure that there are no further illegally held arms within the hospital?
I assure the Deputy that all possible measures are taken to ensure the security of this institution. However, I must also point out to the Deputy that it is a question of keeping some sort of balance. If we are to award complete priority to security then the institution will suffer as a psychiatric hospital. It is a question of endeavouring to maintain the maximum amount of security without turning what is a psychiatric hospital into a prison.
Is the Minister aware that he has on his files since the last escape from this institution a letter from me requesting him to meet a deputation from a local residents' association to discuss the whole matter and will he now accede favourably to this request?
(Cavan-Monaghan): Has the Minister any indication of how the firearms got into the institution?
I have no indication at this stage, but the Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice also enter into this matter and they have issued a statement. Any inquiries which he may have about that aspect of the matter would be better pursued with them.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister agree that it is frightening that lethal weapons in the form of firearms have been discovered in an institution such as this in the middle of a densely built-up area of the city?
I accept that it is disconcerting but I trust that the Deputy also appreciates that it is a psychiatric hospital and that the interests of the patients must also be taken into account. If they were faced with the difficult alternative of awarding total and final priority to security the psychiatric side of the institution would suffer. I agree with the Deputy that it is very disconcerting that arms could be smuggled or brought into the institution. It is something which everybody concerned with will have to take some action on.
(Cavan-Monaghan): In view of the emphasis which the Minister has laid on the fact that it is a psychiatric institution, is the Minister satisfied that the patients transferred there are screened and examined sufficiently to satisfy the authorities that they are suitable subjects for transfer to this hospital?
I hope I can give the Deputy that assurance. In this case the patient was transferred from Portlaoise following attempted suicide.
What assurance can the Minister give to allay the anxieties of local residents that this will not happen again?
Can the Minister indicate if the escapee still at large is armed and if he can indicate the area in which he is suspected to be? Many people in South County Dublin are being telephoned by relatives who have great fears for their safety.
I can understand that there should be some cause for dismay that a patient should escape in this way and that he should have access to a gun. On the other hand, we should not exacerbate the situation or in any way contribute to undue alarm in the area. The matter is now being pursued by the Garda Siochána and it is a matter for them. Once a patient escapes from the institution it is not a matter for me. I am quite certain that the Garda will take all measures necessary to recapture the patient and to ensure that no harm comes to any residents of the area.
The Minister did not answer the first part of my question. I asked him if the escapee still at large is armed.
I have given all the information at my disposal.
The Minister cannot say if the patient who escaped is carrying arms?
I cannot say whether he is carrying a gun or not at this stage. I have given the Deputy the facts. He had a gun which facilitated his escape. That is all I know at this stage.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Has the gun been discovered?
Not to my knowledge.
I put down a Private Notice Question which the Chair refused——
I communicated with the Deputy that his question was not in order because it was not in accordance with Standing Orders.
As the Minister is present, perhaps he would tell me why he increased the multiplier of people who are receiving unemployment assistance or——
The question is totally out of order. The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.
(Cavan-Monaghan): They want to make the Minister for Finance, Deputy Colley, take all the blame tomorrow.
I would like to protest at the Ceann Comhairle's action in not allowing the Private Notice Question.