Blaze that destroyed Galway HSE unit ‘suspicious’ say Gardaí
GARDAI are treating as ‘suspicious’ the fire that destroyed the HSE Alcohol Counselling premises on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital in Galway over the weekend.
The fire was discovered in the non-residential counselling centre at around 2am on Friday morning with four units of Galway Fire Brigade at the scene for over four hours.
Gardai sealed off the scene for forensic examination and are now awaiting the results of tests, and samples taken from the centre.
“We are treating the fire as suspicious and we are awaiting the results of technical examinations before we can confirm this,” said a Garda spokesman.
Meanwhile the HSE confirmed that new arrangements for the delivery of alcohol counselling services would now be put in place. In a statement the HSE said:
“The Alcohol Counselling Service based at Merlin Park provides outpatient treatment to individuals referred, in the main, from the West Galway Mental Health Service and also from primary care. Services provided have included individual assessment and counselling group programmes and Antabuse clinics.
“This service will now be fully incorporated into the West Galway Mental Health Service and as planned, included in ongoing development of mental health services as recommended by Vision for Change guidelines. The service will now be operating on a restricted service until further notice.”
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