HSE urged by parents of deceased student to release independent report on his treatment following suicide

The parents of Jamie Costello, who died by suicide in 2019 whilst a voluntary patient at the Acute Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Galway, have applied to the High Court in Ireland for leave to bring a legal challenge compelling the Health Service Executive (HSE) to release an independent report into their son’s care and treatment before his death. Their lawyer told the court that they have “very serious concerns about a desktop review now being proposed” and that they want the finalised external review report commissioned three years ago to be released. The case has been adjourned until mid-April for mention, after which the judge has said he wants a substantive response from the HSE. The Costellos are also seeking declarations that they are entitled to the report and that an alleged refusal to commit to releasing it constitutes a breach of fundamental fairness. In her grounding affidavit, Mrs Costello said they were “devastated to learn this unexpected news regarding the apparent abandonment of the independent review process” and were “shocked by the lack of information provided as the reason for the change of direction”.