A pilot project introduced in the Limerick Garda Division, may be very relevant to help Gardai in Mayo deal with the increasing number of mental health related incidents in the county,  that’s the view of Crossmolina councillor Michael Loftus.

The Fianna Fail councillor, the county Cathaoirleach, asked that Limerick Garda Superintendent Andrew Lacey attend the next Mayo Joint Policing Committee meeting, to outline the details of new initiative being rolled out in Limerick where a mental health nurse is based at the garda station and he/she accompanies gardai when called out to complex situations.

Councillor Loftus argued that there is not enough emphasis on mental health, when a presentation was made to councillors by the Western Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. He says staffing levels at the task force are not adequate and questioned why the drug and money seizures by gardai are not directly used to fund additional mental health services.

He has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about what he believes is a lack of emphasis on mental health issues generally in the community...