For the first time, the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board held 43rd and 44th reviews into the detentions of some patients.

The board held 208 reviews in 2024, compared with 187 in 2023, reviewing the detention of 101 patients.

Of the 101 patients whose detention was reviewed, six were granted a conditional discharge. Five patients were granted a conditional discharge in 2023, out of a total of 88 who had their detention reviewed that year.

There was one application for an amendment to a conditional discharge, which was refused.

Two applications for unconditional discharge were received in 2024, one was granted by the board, and one was postponed for rescheduling in 2025.

Three applications from 2023 were scheduled for hearings in January and February of 2024, and two of these were granted by the board and one was refused.

The annual report published this week is the 18th annual report of the review board and the first since Mr Justice Seamus Noonan was appointed as chairperson.

He wrote: “I wish to express the Board’s gratitude and appreciation to my colleague Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill, who retired as chairperson of the Board on 24 September 2024.

“During his tenure he adopted a measured approach to the operation of the Board. His astute insight into patients’ problems enabled him to help motivate them to fully commit to the recovery pathway developed by their treatment team and his empathy and compassion was appreciated by everyone.

“I wish him well in his retirement.”