Madam, - The report by the Inspector of Mental Health Services makes sad reading in this era of the Celtic Tiger.
The majority of Irish psychiatric hospitals are fine stone buildings with large grounds in good sites. Here in Co Louth, Saint Brigid's Hospital at Ardee is an attractive, red-brick 20th-century building.
If developers and builders manage to acquire these buildings, they will be turned into attractive apartment blocks as has happened to former convents and schools.
Why not call in the architects and builders to convert psychiatric hospitals into small self-contained apartments for patients who are fit to live in the community? Communal areas could be provided, with living accommodation for carers and supervisors.
A modern prison is to be built to replace the very poor conditions in Mountjoy Prison. This is to be welcomed. If we can afford a modern prison, can we not provide modern facilities for the mentally ill and people who become homeless following discharge from psychiatric hospitals. - Yours, etc,
BRIGID FLANAGAN M.B.,
Ardronan,
Dromiskin,
Dundalk.