A Co Galway teacher who was alleged to have had serious delusions that his wife was having sexual affairs with at least six men is seeking leave from the High Court to sue the psychiatric hospital where he was committed for treatment, St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
Mr Louis Blehein (60) of St Bridgid's Avenue, Portumna, has been refused permission by the courts to sue two doctors, three gardai and his estranged wife regarding his committal to the hospital in 1987.
He is now applying to the High Court for an order giving him leave to institute legal proceedings against St John of God Hospital claiming damages, conspiracy, libel, slander, defamation and unlawful imprisonment.
During yesterday's hearing before Mr Justice O'Sullivan, Mr Blehein read a 1984 letter from a doctor in Portumna, Dr Sean G. Murphy, who stated that Mr Blehein appeared to be suffering from serious delusion about his wife's fidelity.
Mr Blehein told Mr Justice O'Sullivan there had been failure to follow the rules prescribed by the Mental Treatment Acts and no applications were made for orders for his reception or detention before he was taken into St John of God Hospital.
He also alleged that a certificate issued in February 1984 for his detention was out of date because it had not been issued within seven days of his being examined by doctors.
In an affidavit, Mr Ray Leonard, secretary manager of St John of God Hospital, said temporary certificates for periods of admission were signed by Mr Blehein's wife and also included the certificates of doctors who had formed the opinion that Mr Blehein suffered from mental illness.
Mr Leonard said it was incorrect to say there had not been an order made for Mr Blehein's detention.
Mr Leonard said Mr Blehein had failed to show that the hospital had acted in bad faith or without reasonable care and he asked Mr Justice O'Sullivan to refuse Mr Blehein's order.
The hearing continues today.