Liaison group to be brought back after murderer absconded ‘We want to work together’

HEALTH chiefs are reinstating a liaison group to improve lines of communication with residents after a convicted murderer absconded sparking a manhunt.

The move by Betsi Cadwaladwr University Health Board follows the absconding of patient Richard Dennick from Ty Llywelyn secure unit in Llanfairfechan on September 21.

Residents criticised the authorities for a lack of information about the 48-year-old’s disappearance, he handed himself in London the following day.

The board agreed to set up the liaison committee during a two-hour public meeting in the Split Willow hotel in Llanfairfechan last Thursday attended by about 90 people.

Interim chief executive Simon Dean, medical director Professor Matt Makin, consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Sandeep Mathews, and North Wales Police officers all attended the meeting.

The mayor of Llanfairfechan, councillor Penny Andow, said: “The outcome of the public meeting was really positive. We want to work together with Ty Llywelyn and move forward.

“We are going to have a liaison committee which will improve lines of communication.”

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders, who chaired the public meeting, said a liaison committee would reassure residents worried about security.

She said: “We are confi- dent that with a committee of the health board, North Wales Police and residents we can avoid such concerns.”

Conwy County Cllr Ray Jones said the public meeting was positive and he was pleased the liaison committee would be set up .

At last Thursday’s public meeting in the Split Willow hotel in Llanfairfechan, the mayor of Llanfairfechan Penny Andow read out one resident’s view that the town was “under attack” from patients on leave.

The Weekly News is happy to clarify that this is not the mayor’s personal view.

She invited the health board to a Llanfairfechan Town Council general meeting at the council chamber on yesterday (Wednesday).