Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1821

The Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1821 formed the basis of mental health law in Ireland from 1821 until 2015.

Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1821[1]
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to make more effectual Provision for the Establishment of Asylums for the Lunatic Poor, and for the Custody of Insane Persons charged with Offences in Ireland.
Citation1 & 2 Geo. 4. c. 33
Territorial extent United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Dates
Repealed30 December 2015
Other legislation
Repeals/revokesIrish Lunatic Asylums for the Poor Act 1817
Repealed byAssisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015
Status: Repealed

Background

Prior to the Lunacy (Ireland) Act, there had been only limited progress with establishing specialist accommodation for the mentally ill in Ireland. The only such facilities were the Eglinton Asylum in Cork and the Richmond Asylum in Dublin.[2]

Provisions

The legislation authorised the appointment of a Commission of General Control and Correspondence to have oversight of asylums in Ireland.[3] It also gave powers to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to establish and operate publicly funded "district asylums" across the island of Ireland.[4]

Subsequent legislation

Although the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 made some changes relating to Commissioners in Lunacy, the management of the Estates of Lunatics and for the protection of the property of Lunatics in Ireland,[5] aspects of the legislation remained in force until repealed by the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015.[6][7]

References
  1. The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by the Short Titles Act 1896, section 1 and the first schedule. Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised for the United Kingdom by section 19(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978.
  2. "Kindred Lines: Lunatic asylum records". History Ireland. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  3. Conroy, Pauline (2018). A Bit Different: Disability in Ireland. Orpen Press. ISBN 978-1786050601.
  4. "Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1821". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  5. "Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  6. "Oireachtas to repeal 144-year-old lunacy act today". 17 December 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  7. "Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015". Health Service Executive. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
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