The HSE has acknowledged that a new alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre proposed for St Fintan’s Hospital will have to be kept separate from all other services, due to the possible aggressive nature of some of the users of the centre.

In a report forwarded to Laois County Council, the HSE said it would be “proper and fitting” for the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS), which is currently based at Coote Street Portlaoise, to be relocated to a purpose-built 400sqm treatment and therapy centre on the hospital campus on the town’s Dublin Road......