Psychiatric unit 'badly needed' in Tipperary's largest town

It was “a disaster out and out” when St Michael’s psychiatric unit in Clonmel closed, Cllr Richie Molloy stated at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

He was speaking following a request by District Mayor Pat English for Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler to reopen a dedicated inpatient psychiatric unit at Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel.

Cllr English said that such a unit was badly needed since St Michael’s closed 14 years ago.

Cllr Molloy said they had done everything they could as a council to oppose the closure of St Michael’s in 2012.

The nearest unit was in Kilkenny but a dedicated unit was needed in Clonmel, even from the point of view of visiting patients.

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St Michael’s had been a big loss to the area, he added.

It was agreed to send a formal letter to the minister, outlining Cllr English’s request.

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