The HSE has lashed out at an Ennis Councillor for comments about the removal of patients from Cappahard Lodge during the floods.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn was quoted in newspaper articles for suggesting the HSE might use flooding in Ennis as an excuse to close the Tulla Road facility, but the health authority said his comments are an example of a conspiracy theory gone mad.
28 patients were moved from Cappahard Lodge to Ennis General Hospital after flooding put the unit’s sewerage system out of action on Thursday.
The flooding came as the HSE plans to transfer patients from the facility to St Joseph’s Hospital, prompting newspaper articles suggesting the temporary closure could be linked to long term plans but the HSE has reacted angrily to comments attributed to Councillor Johnny Flynn.
In a statement to Clare FM, the Health service executive said that, “Even by the standards of paranoia and exaggeration Cllr Flynn’s suggestion is wide of the mark.
A HSE spokesperson expressed concerns that such suggestions could cause distress to the vulnerable and their relatives", adding that "Cappahard Lodge is integral to the future plans of Clare Mental Health Services and there are no plans to close it",
The Cappahard Lodge patients will return to Cappahard when flooding subsides and repairs have been carried out.
