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- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Watchdog expresses concern over level of non-compliance at Central Mental Hospital
The State's mental health watchdog has expressed concern about an increase in the number of non-compliance findings detected during an inspection of the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin last year which have reached 'unprecedented' levels. An unannounced inspection of the CMH by the Mental Health Commission over four days in May 2024 identified 17 areas of non-compliance at the centre – up from 11 during the previous inspection in 2023. Advertisement A MHC report shows compliance levels at the CMH, which opened in 2022 following the closure of the previous facility in Dundrum and the transfer of patients to Portrane, have fallen from 82 per cent in 2022 to 51 per cent last year. It was the lowest compliance rate among reports on 13 mental health services published by the MHC on Wednesday. MHC inspectors classified one of the non-compliances relating to the rule governing the use of seclusion as a 'critical' failure, while 10 of the problem areas were re-occurring. In addition, five regulatory areas were deemed a higher risk than the previous year. Advertisement The inspector of mental health services, James V Lucey, said such a level of non-compliance raised 'serious concerns regarding the operation of the approved centre and its potential impact on residents.' 'The inspection findings indicated a lack of consistent practices in relation to governance and management structures within Central Mental Hospital, Portrane,' said Prof Lucey. The report identified eight incidents between January and March 2024 where there were concerns that the intercom in a seclusion room was not working correctly and which had not been recorded. It noted there were times when a patient in seclusion could not be heard by staff. Advertisement The MHC concluded that the fittings in the seclusion room were 'not of a quality as not to endanger the safety of a patient.' The report also found that not all staff involved in the seclusion of residents had signed a document to show they had read and understood the centre's policy on seclusion, although they had all received the appropriate training. In one instance, it found a patient who had been placed in seclusion had not been medically examined by a doctor within the required two-hour period after the start of the seclusion. In another care, there was no in-person debrief with a patient who was secluded. Advertisement Inspectors also found that there were no clocks displaying the day and date in some seclusion rooms, contrary to rules governing seclusion, to support resident orientation for several months, despite being meant to be in place by March 29, 2024. They also found that risk relating to the transfer of patients in high-secure units for the sole use of seclusion was not recorded with the required control measures on a register. The report also identified several deficits in relation to the use of mechanical restraints on patients at the CMH. In one episode, there was no medical examination of a patient being restrained as soon as practicable or within four hours of the commencement of being restrained. Advertisement In three cases, no care plans had been developed by a multi-disciplinary team for the patients who were mechanically restrained. There was also no evidence of a review by a multi-disciplinary team of three episodes of a patient being mechanically restrained. Other areas deemed at 'high' levels of non-compliance included waiting times to see a psychologist which ranged from two weeks to six months and assessing the general health needs of patients at least every six months. Others included privacy, a failure to assess the nutritional and dietary needs of patients and failings with the recording of searches and the preparation of individual care plans. The MHC said not all staff had undertaken mandatory training in basic life support, fire safety and the management of violence and aggression as well as safeguarding. The inspection identified problems with the buildings and noted the centre was not ventilated throughout and had 'offensive odours' with some bathroom facilities 'extremely malodorous.' Overall, it found the centre was 'not maintained in a good state of repair' and its condition was not developed and maintained with due regards for the safety and well-being of residents, staff and visitors. The MHC said it issued an immediate action notice to the CMH which responded by providing assurances and undertakings in relation to the non-compliances identified. They include maintenance and improvement of the monitoring arrangements in seclusion rooms, improvements to risk management arrangements, a review of individual care plans and improvements to systems for monitoring regulatory compliance. The MHC report praised the Central Mental Hospital for its quality practices in relation to visiting facilities, care of the dying and the provision of information to patients. The CMH is registered to provide a service to 130 residents but currently has an operational capacity for 114. The vast majority of patients are detained under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The facility includes a high secure unit which can accommodate 40 patients. The MHC report found there were staffing shortages across the facility including nursing, occupational therapy, psychology and social work as well as catering, maintenance and IT. A total of 22.5 vacancies were identified at the time of the inspection among healthcare staff including 12 nursing roles.
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Two teenagers jailed for murder of Tristan Sherry
Two teenagers have been jailed for nine years each for the "brutal" murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who was beaten to death after he shot and fatally wounded gangland figure Jason Hennessy snr in a busy restaurant on Christmas Eve two years ago. Before their trial commenced last year, the High Court found that a law requiring that the pair face a mandatory term of life imprisonment should they be convicted and reach the age of 18 before their sentencing hearing was unconstitutional. Advertisement They are also the first two defendants to be sentenced after a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that a life sentence is not mandatory in the case of child murderers and should only be used in exceptional cases. Three others, including Hennesy snr's son, Brandon Hennessy (22), were jailed for a combined eight years and four months for violent disorder during the attack on Sherry. David Amah (19) of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate was convicted of murder following a trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo today sentenced Amah to 12 years with the final three years suspended. He noted that Amah was 17 at the time of the offence and therefore is not subject to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. Advertisement Mr Justice Naidoo said the offence did not involve any pre-planning, and a probation report put Amah at a low risk of reoffending. The judge imposed a similar sentence on an 18-year-old also convicted of murder but who cannot be named because he was a minor when he first came before the court. Both Amah and the unnamed accomplice stamped on Tristan Sherry and stabbed him repeatedly. Their actions were deliberate, Mr Justice Naidoo said, and took place during a "sustained and brutal attack on an unarmed, defenceless man lying on the ground." Mr Justice Naidoo on Monday sentenced Brandon Hennessy of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 to four-and-a-half years with the last six months suspended for one year. The judge accepted that the killing of his father was a mitigating factor in Hennessy's favour. Jonas Kabangu (19) of Corduff Park, Blanchardstown, received a sentence of four years in prison with the final 12 months suspended for two years. Mr Justice Naidoo sentenced the third violent disorder defendant, an 18-year-old who can't be named because he was a child when he came before the courts, to two years and four months, with the final year suspended for two years.
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Irish Times
Two teenagers sentenced to nine years for the murder of Tristan Sherry
Two teenagers have been jailed for nine years each for the 'brutal' murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who was beaten to death after he shot and fatally wounded gangland figure Jason Hennessy Snr in a busy restaurant on Christmas Eve two years ago. Before their trial commenced last year, the High Court found that a law requiring that the pair face a mandatory term of life imprisonment should they be convicted and reach the age of 18 before their sentencing hearing was unconstitutional. They are also the first two defendants to be sentenced after a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that a life sentence is not mandatory in the case of child murderers and should only be used in exceptional cases. Three others, including Hennesy Snr's son, Brandon Hennessy (22), were jailed for a combined eight years and four months for violent disorder during the attack on Sherry. READ MORE David Amah (19) of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate was convicted of murder following a trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo today sentenced Amah to 12 years with the final three years suspended. He noted that Amah was 17 at the time of the offence and therefore is not subject to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. Mr Justice Naidoo said the offence did not involve any pre-planning and a probation report put Amah at a low risk of reoffending. The judge imposed a similar sentence on an 18-year-old also convicted of murder but who cannot be named because he was a minor when he first came before the court. Both Amah and the unnamed accomplice stamped on Tristan Sherry and stabbed him repeatedly. Their actions were deliberate, Mr Justice Naidoo said, and took place during a 'sustained and brutal attack on an unarmed, defenceless man lying on the ground'. On Monday, Mr Justice Naidoo sentenced Brandon Hennessy of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 to four-and-a-half years with the last six months suspended for one year. The judge accepted that the killing of his father was a mitigating factor in Hennessy's favour. Jonas Kabangu (19) of Corduff Park, Blanchardstown, received a sentence of four years in prison with the final 12 months suspended for two years. Mr Justice Naidoo sentenced the third violent disorder defendant, an 18-year-old who can't be named because he was a child when he came before the courts, to two years and four months, with the final year suspended for two years.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Another battle of the Boyne as coaches and parents take on players in hockey season finale
This annual family day at the club provides members with the opportunity to catch up but also gives the players a chance to mix the teams up and even play in new positions. With more than 50 children competing in two different blitz-style games, their parents watched on with glee - until it was their turn to play! In a club first, parents and coaches took on club players in what became an all-out battle of pride. For some, it was a chance to show off their skills, while for others it was an opportunity to prove to their children that their youth and fitness remained intact. With the sun shining and the additional attractions of a blazing barbecue, face-painting, lawn games and an ice-cream van, it was one of the club's best family days out - one that will be remembered for seasons to come. The action moved indoors on the Sunday, with the staging of Boyne HC's inaugural U12 indoor tournament, sponsored by Progressive Credit Union. Teams from all over Leinster descended on Gormanston Park to battle it out for the coveted cup and shield prizes. Teams played matches all morning before emerging to take part in the play-offs in the afternoon. While the Leinster final drama was unfolding in Croke Park, tensions were also high in Gormanston as both semi-finals went to 1v1s. In the end, the Boyne girls' and boys' teams each placed third, with Portrane and Old Alex winning second and first respectively in the Girls' Cup. Although Monkstown gave Railway tough competition in the boys' competition, in the end Railway were victorious. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more There were also individual player awards given to Boyne, Old Alex, Monkstown and Portrane and if this tournament was an indication of the level of indoor hockey, then the future is very bright. None of these activities would have been possible without the tireless effort and commitment of the Boyne players, parents, coaches, rookies, committee members and wider support network. Summer hockey continues for a few more weeks until the club takes a well-earned break and returns for the hockey camp from July 28. Boyne Hockey Club receives grant funding from Louth County Council and Meath County Council and has annual sponsorship from Irish Cement, Landy Muldoon, Hibernia Steel, Hayes & Associates.
