Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 April 2004

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed).

 

Mary Henry (Independent)

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 5, subsection (2), line 5, after "if" to insert "having obtained the opinions of two approved medical officers, one of whom is the clinical director of a designated centre, the court finds that".

This is self-explanatory. It would be wise early in proceedings if a person is suspected of being mentally ill to have him or her seen by two approved medical officers. Seeing that he or she will be sent to a place of detention, one doctor should be the clinical director of the designated centre. Certain people may be so disturbed they have to be detained in prison and the clinical director may be able to tell the court if the facilities capable of containing the person were available. It would be of assistance to the court and the judge if this information was available at the beginning.

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