THE Eastern Health Board says it has begun to move psychiatric patients from its Weir Home in Cork Street, Dublin, where it intends to establish treatment facilities for drug addicts.
The move is being opposed by a local residents group, which says that the more than 20 residents in the home have put down roots in the community. The group also opposes the establishment of the planned drug treatment facility on the grounds that it could bring more addicts into the area and lead to the intimidation of residents.
The EHB says that the patients will go to new facilities which are superior to the Weir Home.
Cork Street residents say that the patients, originally from St Brendan's Hospital, have put down roots in the community and are afraid of being mistreated by local children and adolescents if they are sent to homes in the suburbs.
The EHB says that it has previously moved over 1,000 patients to 100 homes successfully.