‘Urgent’ need to address the lack of psychiatric help for Waterford prisoners
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Once again in Waterford Courthouse this week, a prisoner was left in legal limbo as the necessary psychiatric reports to progress his case cannot be obtained for him.
The man, who suffers from serious mental health conditions, needs a psychiatric evaluation to determine his capacity to plead to his charges. However, no report has been procured.
He is facing a number of charges contrary to Section 44 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, for contravening safety orders.
Additionally, capacity at the Central Mental Hospital is extremely limited, meaning the man must stay behind bars instead of being moved to a specialist unit.
Judge Kevin Staunton, who presides over Waterford District Court, has repeatedly asked that the man receive psychiatric evaluation.
Last week, Judge John Cheatle asked that a psychiatric report be obtained “urgently” in order to determine the man’s fitness to plead.
