Mental health facility in Co Offaly re-opens after evacuation

A mental health facility in the midlands evacuated last week when a rat emerged from the ceiling was deemed "fit for purpose" by the HSE today.

A number of patients were awaiting treatment when the rat came through the ceiling of the day care centre on Wilmer Road in Birr, Co Offaly last Thursday.

One person, who didn’t want to be named, said “a rat came through the ceiling...it wasn’t a small one, it was quite a big rat.”

“It came out of the ceiling and just landed down in the middle of the patients,” they said.

There are 13 HSE staff members based at the mental health centre which caters for patients from Co Laois and Co Offaly.

According to a HSE spokeswoman, “one vermin came into the building where there were clients last week.”

The building was “immediately evacuated” and the exterminators were called in, she said.

She added staff continued to operate the service from alternative HSE accommodation in Birr and all clients had been notified of the relocation.

The day care service was relocated to the Social Club in Birr while the outpatients clinics were moved to the Health Centre in the town.

In a statement today the HSE said, “following inspection earlier this evening the centre has now been declared fit for purpose.”