Vol. 491 No. 1
100 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures for the Garda to deal with a psychiatric patient who is violent and needs to gain admittance to hospital; and the training, if any, provided to handle a situation of this nature. [11557/98].
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the procedures to deal with the situation described by the Deputy are as provided for in the Mental Treatment Act, 1945. Sections 165, 166, 167, 169, 183 and 229 of the Act have particular relevance for members of the force. The legislation provides the Garda with powers to take a person believed to be of unsound mind into custody, for his safety or the safety of the public, and to seek a recommendation for reception of that person as a person of unsound mind from a registered medical practitioner. The Act also makes provision for the escort of such persons by the Garda.
Student-probationer Garda are trained to deal with the situation described by the Deputy. I understand from the Garda authorities that instruction on the relevant legislative provisions and procedures to be followed is given at the Garda College and in the Garda code. The student-probationer physical education programme provides both practical and theoretical instruction on the restraint and manual handling of persons. Garda self-defence training is also provided.
The Garda authorities also inform me that training in public order matters and restraint techniques is provided on an ongoing basis as well as during initial training.
