Man mentally unfit for criminal trial released on bail as court hears no bed in Central Mental Hospital

The 35-year-old man, with an address in Athlone, Co Westmeath, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today on a charge of unlawful possession of knives.

His lawyers said the man is languishing in prison while waiting on a bed in the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).

Dr Conor O'Neill, consultant psychiatrist at the CMH, told the court that the man is suffering from schizophrenia and is unfit to enter a plea in a criminal trial. He advised that the man be remanded in the CMH for an extended period.

Donal McGuinness BL for the HSE, told the court that there is currently no bed in the hospital. He said the CMH operates at maximum capacity at all times.

He said the defendant is on a waiting list for the CMH but there is already a waiting list. He said there is no sign of a bed becoming available in the immediate future.

Dr O'Neill told the court: “My understanding was there was a possibility of ten new beds being open, that has not transpired”.

John Moher BL, defending, said he was objecting to his client being remanded for any more time in Cloverhill Prison.

“This has been going on since August. He is languishing and deteriorating in Cloverhill,” counsel said.

The court heard he is not taking his medication and his condition has disimproved. He has made threats against staff members and members of the public.

Judge Martin Nolan said that the accused man had been deemed unfit to plead and the State could not keep him in custody. He said the man had difficult problems and they were difficult for society too but that he had an overriding right to liberty.

He released the accused on bail on condition he enter a bond and reside at a given address.