A psychiatric nurse has been suspended from duty with pay by the HSE after speaking out in relation to the provision of a new psychiatric unit at a hospital in Cork.

Des McSweeney received notification from HSE management last week that he was being put “off rostered duty on paid leave” pending a review of his behaviour.

Mr McSweeney, a Siptu shop steward, had written an article for the Irish Examiner on March 16th and given radio interviews relating to psychiatric services in Cork.

In the article in the Irish Examiner, Mr McSweeney outlined the opposition of psychiatric nurses to the planned closure of the GF psychiatric ward at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Mr McSweeney argued that a new psychiatric unit at CUH was “not clinically fit for purpose and will ultimately endanger the lives of people using the service”.

He later gave radio interviews about his concerns on both RTÉ’s Morning Ireland and on Red FM’s Neil Prendeville Show but was then summoned to a meeting with HSE management.

Last week, Ned Kelly, area director of nursing for Cork Mental Health Services, wrote to Mr McSweeney advising him that he was to be suspended from duty with pay.

Mr Kelly pointed out in the letter that Mr McSweeney had been advised at a meeting with HSE management on April 2nd about the need to comply with all HSE policies.

He said the meeting was held to address “your continuing failure to ensure compliance with HSE policies and procedures relating to communications particularly with the media”.

Mr Kelly in his letter then advised Mr McSweeney that he “will remain off rostered duty on paid leave pending a review of the matter relating to your behaviour and conduct”.