Disabled man may get legal guardian

An application may be made to the High Court soon to appoint a legal guardian for a 22-year-old "totally dependent" cerebral palsy sufferer.

Mr Mark de Blacam, SC, for Mr Robert Mulligan, Lucan, Co Dublin, told Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan yesterday that Mr Mulligan was unable to do anything for himself, could not speak and was permanently confined to bed.

He told the court that Mr Mulligan's mother, Mrs Ann Mulligan, believed her son required round-the-clock nursing care and he had intended making an application to the court seeking an order requiring the Minister for Health and Children, through the health board, to provide 24-hour health care at his Lucan home.

Mr de Blacam said his application would have been based on a report by Dr Nicola Ryall, a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, who had indicated that 24-hour care could be provided in his home. He told the court that Dr Ryall in another report apparently had a change of view and, while recommending 24-hour care, had stated that Mr Mulligan should not be with his mother, whose additional care would be detrimental to his psychological and physical welfare.

The second report had stated that while Mrs Mulligan had acted as Robert's determined advocate over many years, there was concern she may not be acting in his best interests.