Anthony Hennessy inquest
Deputy O'Flynn raised the HSE inquest into Anthony Hennessy’s death in a secure mental health unit and highlighted the need for better suicide prevention training. The Taoiseach expressed sympathy and said the Minister of State for mental health would be asked to engage.
I am sure the Taoiseach will join me in welcoming the Meany family from the Lower Glanmire Road and Ballyvolane to the Public Gallery.
As reported by RTÉ and the Irish Examiner, a HSE inquest issued an apology on Tuesday, 29 April for the death almost six years ago of Mr. Anthony Hennessy of Mallow, County Cork, in a room in St. Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire near Cork city. On 25 November 2019, Anthony died by suicide in an HSE-run secure mental health unit. His death while under the care of the State is not only tragic but is a damning reflection of the broken system. The HSE, in its own review, identified its failures, yet suicide prevention training remains optional rather than mandatory for staff in these high-risk settings. Will the Government commit to making accredited suicide prevention training, such as skills training on risk management, STORM, mandatory for all staff, both clinical and support, in secure mental health units? Will the Taoiseach support the establishment of an independent investigation into all suicides in these facilities and ensure transparency, accountability and justice for the families?
Comment on this
First of all, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I convey our sympathies to Anthony Hennessy's family on his sad passing. I will ask the Minister of State for mental health to engage with the Deputy on progressing the issue. It certainly is something we would give consideration to in respect of ensuring there is access to, and availability and provision of, accredited suicide prevention training for all staff in key positions. Some staff perhaps have training but not all of them do.