A DUBLIN community has been victorious in its campaign to stop the Eastern Health Board from moving residents out of a psychiatric home. EHB had intended to move more than 20 people out of the Weir Home in Cork Street and place a treatment service for heroin addicts there instead.
However, following a local campaign, the EHB has agreed the residents can remain in the home for life if they wish.
It has also agreed with the Cork Street and Maryland Residents' Association (representing people living in the area) that a drug treatment centre will be established on EHB grounds across the street from the Weir Home.
The original proposal, that the residents of the Weir Home would be split up and moved to various locations, led to protests both from the residents and the local community.
At one stage, the residents signed a letter to the EHB declaring that they intended to remain where they were.
Under the agreement between the EHB and the Cork Street and Maryland Residents' Association, a drug treatment centre for up to 40 addicts is to be provided on the grounds of Bru Chaoimhin, which also houses a geriatric hospital. Priority will be given to addicts from the local parish.
"Clients attending the centre will not be able to gain access to the hospital grounds and will not therefore affect the patients who use the grounds for leisure purposes, according to Mr Pat McLoughlin, the programme manager who deals with drugs, AIDS and homelessness.
The controversy was about one year old when Mr McLoughlin was appointed, and he has since been involved in negotiating a solution.
The Weir Home has more space than is required for its residents and will house an administration centre for the drug treatment services in the area.
But in a letter to Mr Charlie Hammond, the chairman of the residents' association, Mr McLoughlin has promised that "no clients will receive treatment in the Weir Home".
Mr Hammond told The Irish Times the agreement had received overwhelming support from local people who attended a meeting on the issue on Monday night.