Jimmy Loughlin serious incident report
Deputy Kenny sought a completed serious incident report for the family of Jimmy Loughlin, who was murdered by a man with long-term mental health difficulties. The Taoiseach promised to ask the HSE to complete the report and said the issue might also involve the Mental Health Commission.
I raise with the Taoiseach the issue of a family in Sligo, the family of Jimmy Loughlin. Jimmy was murdered in 2018. Unfortunately, the person who killed him had a long-term mental health illness. The situation evolved over a number of years. The family is now looking to get a serious incident report from the HSE. The HSE is supposed to compile such a report. It started it but never finished it. When the family looked into the situation, they discovered that this man had years of engagement with mental health services and that there had been years of failure. An Garda Síochána even wrote to the HSE asking it to intervene because of the danger it felt this man posed when he had serious episodes. This situation arises for many people. The outcome at the end is often suicide but, in this particular situation, this family lost a loved one. They want that serious incident report to be completed and finished. Failing that, will the Government commence a full public inquiry into this situation? There was a similar situation in Nottingham in more recent times and the authorities there held a full public inquiry so that lessons could be learned and so that such a situation would not happen again. It is broader than this family's request but it is also about them getting a serious incident report into what happened.
Comment on this
It should come from the HSE but it has failed to provide one.
Comment on this
We will let the HSE know that the Deputy has raised the issue and ask that a serious incident report be completed. I do not know the background of the case. I extend my sympathies to the family of Jimmy Loughlin on what transpired here. I do not know if it was referred to the HIQA which could be one way of-----
Comment on this
It would be for the Mental Health Commission.
Comment on this
Well, it depends. It may be for the Mental Health Commission in respect of mental health issues but there may be broader issues. That should be the direction of travel rather than a full public inquiry, which could take a very long period of time. It is a serious issue the Deputy has raised and I will follow up on it.
Comment on this
I will write to the Taoiseach with the full details.