asked the Minister for Health the conditions under which a patient (details supplied) was admitted to Dundrum Central Mental Hospital.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundrum (Dublin) Hospital Admission.
18.
On June 16 1955 the patient named was charged with an indictable offence before a special sitting of the District Court held in the district mental hospital in which he was detained. The district justice considered that the case presented constituted prima facie evidence that the patient had committed the offence with which he was charged. He further considered that the patient would, if placed on trial, be unfit to plead. Accordingly, the district justice made an order certifying that the patient was suitable for transfer to the Central Mental Hospital at Dundrum, and the then Minister for Health authorised the transfer under subsection 2 (c) of Section 207 of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945. The patient was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital on July 27 1959.
This is something we might take up on the Mental Treatment Bill. Does the Minister not agree that if the person was accepted as being unfit to plead it is very difficult to say that he is at the same time guilty of something which would merit him being sent to the Central Mental Hospital? There are quite different type people there from the type of person this is, simply a sick epileptic.
I will communicate the details in relation to this case to the Deputy if he wishes. There were very serious incidents involved in this particular case.
Nobody is doing anything about him. Will he stay there for life?
The question is reviewed. I would be quite happy to discuss it with the Deputy subsequently.