Function and Establishment

The function of the Review Board is to review the detention of patients in the designated centre under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The Central Mental Hospital (National Forensic Mental Health Service) Portrane, Co. Dublin is the designated centre under the Act.

The detention of patients who have been referred to designated centres arising from a decision by the Courts that they are unfit to stand trial or, having been found not guilty of an offence by reason of insanity, is reviewed by the Board.

The Board is also responsible for reviewing the detention of prisoners, including military prisoners, who have been transferred to designated centres suffering from mental disorders.

The Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board is an independent statutory body which was established by order of the then Minister for Justice under Section 11 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 on 27 September 2006.