An elderly man with psychiatric problems who has been homeless for over 20 years has been placed in a psychiatric bed despite the fact this was deemed unsuitable for him a fortnight ago, a court heard yesterday.
The case highlights the lack of appropriate services for a growing number of elderly homeless people with psychiatric problems.
Thomas Corrigan (66), who has been barred from a number of hostels in Dublin city centre due to his difficult behaviour, appeared before Kilmainham District Court yesterday on a number of public disorder charges. He had been arrested last month "for his own safety" when he was found lying on Luas tracks in Benburb Street.
Since then he has been on remand in Cloverhill Prison while the Health Service Executive (HSE) sought suitable accommodation for him.
Representing Mr Corrigan in court yesterday, Niall O'Connor said the HSE had arranged to take his client directly from court to the psychiatric wing of St James's hospital by taxi. The HSE's proposal was to accommodate him there "for two weeks to monitor his progress".
When Mr Corrigan appeared in court two weeks ago this option had been available but was deemed unsuitable as the unit in St James's is not secure.
Mr O'Connor said the arrangement was not a long-term solution. The aim was to reintegrate him into the hostel in the Liberties area where he had been resident for more than 20 years until he was barred in January.
Mr Corrigan was bound to keep the peace, and his case is due back at Kilmainham District Court on May 24th. After the brief hearing he was taken outside by a representative from the HSE to be taken to St James's Hospital.
Director of the homelessness charity, Trust, Alice Leahy, who was in court yesterday, brought the situation of Mr Corrigan to the attention of the State-appointed Homeless Agency, which funds and co-ordinates all services for the homeless, last month.
Speaking yesterday, she described his case as "scandalous". Mr Corrigan needed long-term accommodation with supportive practical, social and psychiatric services "and there are hundreds more like him", she said.
A spokesman for the HSE South West Area said Mr Corrigan's case was being treated "as a priority". A spokeswoman for the Homeless Agency said it was working towards a policy of managing complex cases such as Mr Corrigan's on an individual basis.
