No Limerick Prison psychiatrist for months

THERE has been no consultant forensic psychiatrist in-reach service within Limerick Prison for the last three months, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed.

The Limerick Leader learned of the matter after a barrister raised concerns, during a recent court case, for their client, who had been remanded in custody for months.

Judge Dermot Sheehan, presiding, said he was sorry prisoners don't have access to a consultant psychiatrist.

“It is obviously of major importance in the prison system,” said Judge Sheehan.

The purpose of forensic psychiatry is the assessment, care and treatment of mentally disordered offenders and others requiring similar services, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London.

The Leader put a number of questions to the Irish Prison Service in relation to Limerick Prison having no consultant forensic psychiatrist in-reach service. They declined to answer if the person formerly employed in the role left or retired.

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said the Mental Health Task Force report was published on September 30, 2022 by Ministers Helen McEntee and Stephen Donnelly.

“The Irish Prison Service welcomed the publication of this report and believe that the report provides a clear roadmap to developing services for persons who come in contact with the criminal justice system and are suffering from a severe and enduring mental illness.

“The implementation of a number of the recommendations will fundamentally improve mental health services for persons committed to custody with serious mental illness,” said the spokesperson.

They said the Irish Prison Service also collaborate with the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) to ensure the appropriate provision of psychiatric services to those in custody with a psychiatric diagnosis such as schizophrenia, psychosis and major mood disorder in all closed prisons.

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“There has been no consultant forensic psychiatrist in-reach service in Limerick Prison since early October.

“However, as an interim measure, a consultant psychiatrist from Limerick Mental Health Services has been providing an in-reach service at Limerick Prison for the last two weeks,” said the spokesperson just before Christmas.

They concluded by saying, “The consultant psychiatrist is being assisted by the assistant director of nursing from the local mental health services. This interim measure will remain in place until a consultant forensic psychiatrist is appointed to Limerick Prison by the National Forensic Mental Health Service.”

Limerick Prison, on Mulgrave Street, has an operational capacity for 210 men and 28 women.

It is the committal prison for males for counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary and for females for all of Munster.