Inquiry into death of patient at mental hospital

The death of a patient in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin who was allegedly involved in a scuffle with staff, is being investigated by an independent inquiry.

A spokesman for the hospital told ireland.coman inquiry was standard procedure following sudden deaths in psychiatric hospitals.

The body of the man, in his mid-30s, has been returned to his home in Britain for burial. He died in the hospital on Monday last, hours after he had to be restrained by staff.

It is understood he had previously been involved in violent incidents and allegedly slashed a staff member’s face with glass.

Mr Brian Howard, head of the Mental Health Association, will chair the inquiry, which is expected to complete its report swiftly. He will be joined by a psychiatrist and member of the North Eastern Health Board.

A post mortem has been carried out by deputy state pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy.