A MENTALLY ill remand prisoner, who took court proceedings to get a bed in the Central Mental Hospital so his fitness to stand trial on rape charges could be assessed, has been transferred to the hospital, the High Court has been told.
The man, who is on remand in Wheatfield Prison since January last, took High Court proceedings last month after he was unable to receive priority for a bed at the Central Mental Hospital.
When the case was due to be heard earlier this month, the hospital's clinical director, Dr Harry Kennedy, said a bed would be available in a fortnight as additional beds were being opened. As a result of this, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill adjourned judicial review proceedings for two weeks.
When the case came back before Mr Justice O'Neill yesterday, he was told the man had been transferred from Wheatfield to the hospital on Tuesday. The judge adjourned the matter to next week for mention.
The man had brought the proceedings against the governor of Wheatfield Prison, the DPP, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General over their alleged failure to provide him with the medical services he requires for the preparation of his defence of rape and indecent assault charges against him.