Mullooly seeks meeting with Pieta CEO over Athlone centre closure plan

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has requested an urgent meeting with Pieta CEO Stephanie Manahan following reports that the organisation’s centre on Sean Costello Street in Athlone is to close as services move to an outreach model.

Mr Mullooly has asked Ms Manahan to meet him in Athlone on Monday morning, March 16, to discuss the future of Pieta’s presence in the town and the implications for mental health services across the Midlands.

The request comes after a statement from Pieta that the existing centre will close as part of a cost-saving restructuring plan, with Pieta transitioning to a co-located outreach model while seeking a new shared premises in Athlone.

Mr Mullooly said he was particularly concerned given the strong community effort that originally went into establishing the centre.

“An incredible amount of hard work and planning went into the development of the Pieta – Ending Suicide. Beginning Hope centre on Sean Costello Street in Athlone before it officially opened in 2017,” Mr Mullooly said. “I was one of the founding members involved in establishing the centre. A local committee came together and raised the best part of a quarter of a million euro to turn the dream of a Pieta service in the Midlands into a reality.”

Mr Mullooly paid tribute to those who helped bring the project to life.

“Paddy Kenny from Kiltoom and the Roscommon Pieta House committee put in thousands of hours working voluntarily on the Midlands project. John Tiernan was instrumental in getting the building lined up, while Ger and Michael and many others worked with us in Athlone to raise the funding needed,” he said. “The Lions Clubs in Roscommon and Athlone made significant donations, and Alkermes contributed more than €120,000 towards the building project.”

Mr Mullooly said he still vividly remembered the official opening of the centre. “I still remember the day the premises opened and the reaction when we saw the ten new offices all fitted out and ready to provide professional counselling and support,” he said.

“We were later told that Pieta House Midlands quickly became one of the busiest centres in the country, particularly in supporting young people struggling with serious mental health difficulties.”

Mr Mullooly said the closure of the Athlone premises had come as a major shock to the community.

“Against this background, today’s announcement of the closure of the Athlone Pieta House centre is a real body blow for the local community,” he said.

“I understand that charities are facing financial pressures, but it is essential that people across Athlone and the wider Midlands continue to have access to timely and professional mental health support.”

Mr Mullooly said the proposed meeting with the Pieta CEO would aim to clarify the future service model for the region and explore how a strong presence for Pieta can be maintained in Athlone.

“It is important that we now have an open and constructive conversation about the future of services in Athlone and ensure that those who need support continue to receive it,” he said.