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Idle State Of Former Westmeath Psychiatric Hospital A 'Disgrace'

Monday, 19 August 2024 07:10

Most of the site has been unused for five years.

The idle state of a former psychiatric hospital in Westmeath is being labelled a 'disgrace.'

The majority of the buildings on St. Loman's Hospital campus in Mullingar have been closed since 2019, while just some of the site remains in use.

It's been suggested the premises be used for housing or community facilities, however the HSE says it would require significant capital funding to make the space fit for any future use.

Longford Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD, Robert Troy, says the site is in danger of falling into dereliction:

Deputy Troy says if the HSE has no need for it, it should be used for other much-needed services:

"There needs to be a plan for this site. There needs to be an engagement with the Land Development Agency to see whether parts of this State-owned land could be repurposed for housing or other local needs.

The Order of Malta recently approached the HSE and the HSE did identify part of the lands on the campus that could be used as a future Order of Malta site. This show that unused facilities can be repurposed for the benefit of the wider community. 

I would urge the HSE to make decisions about the future of the site, now rather than letting the campus fall further into disrepair."

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