Legal action by an autistic man, who is currently in hospital, was further adjourned at the High Court yesterday to enable expert assessments to be carried out to determine his needs.
Mr Shane O'Mahony (21), of Ballincollig, Co Cork, applied to the court last month for orders directing the State and the Southern Health Board to provide appropriate care and education for him. The application was adjourned when the board undertook to arrange an assessment.
Yesterday, Mr Hugh O'Neill SC, for the SHB, told Mr Justice Finnegan that the assessment had yet to be conducted due to difficulties in finding an independent expert. The board had recently secured such an expert and expected the assessment to take place in January. Mr O'Mahony was currently in Cork University Hospital, but his health had improved since the last hearing and he could go home for Christmas.
Mr Paul Sreenan SC, for Mr O'Mahony, said that he had secured the services of two experts, who would also assess his client.
Mr Justice Finnegan adjourned the case until January 31st.