Mum tells court of fears for daughter after hospital release

A County Wexford mother spoke up in the District Court about her fears surrounding the prospect of her daughter’s release from the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

The daughter had relatively minor criminal damage and domestic violence charges outstanding and had been in the CMH on remand since the summer.

The issue of her fitness to plead in response to the charges had been an issue in the case, which was raised in camera before Judge Brian O’Shea.

The court had the benefit of a report drawn up by psychiatrist Doctor Paul O’Connell who was present for the hearing in Wexford.

The doctor from the CMH stated that the mental health of the accused woman, who is aged in her 20s, had been improving.

He was encouraged by her progress since her medication was changed to an anti-psychotic drug which is administered by monthly injection. As a result, she appeared to have greater insight than before into the charges facing her.

He confirmed his opinion that this was a case of paranoid schizophrenia, a major mental illness. However, he expressed the view that the condition could be addressed if the correct after-care programme is put in place.

The judge recalled that the department of psychiatry (DOP) in Waterford concluded that there was nothing wrong with her when she was initially referred there. He described the charges before him as not overly serious.

Dr O’Connell reported that the DOP had been represented at a recent case conference held in Dundrum to discuss the young woman. He continued saying that, if transferred from the CMH, then she would require the support of the local service.

The team involved would have to include social worker, occupational therapy, psychiatric and psychological support as well as accommodation.

He said that the family would also have to be part of the team.

He said that if a programme could be agreed, then the woman could leave Dundrum within days, if not weeks, but the necessary agreement had not yet been reached with his colleagues in

Waterford.

Judge O’Shea said he was hugely impressed by the effort put into the case and by the standard of care which the accused had been offered.

At this point the mother stood up and introduced herself to the court. She told the judge that she was fearful.

She was concerned that her daughter would be homeless if released, insofar as she (the mother) could not have her back home without an assurance that she was on her medication.

The doctor indicated that it might be possible to find his patient a place in a hostel and he stressed that, whether in a hostel or in the family home, she would require the full engagement of the local mental health service.

The judge thanked him for attending court and concluded that the Central Mental Hospital was not where the accused ultimately belongs. He was optimistic that she would be able to deal with pleading in the not too distant future. The woman thanked the court as she was led away to continue on remand in Dundrum for a further four weeks.