Mental Health act

Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 allows the Gardai to take someone into custody if they believe that person is suffering from a mental disorder to such an extent as to pose a threat to that person or to others. On detention, the Gardai must then arrange for the person to be seen by a doctor. If the doctor judges the person to be a threat, they're taken to a hospital for treatment; if the doctor finds the person to be sound, they're released from custody immediately.

Section 12 also allows Gardai to enter a dwelling or premises, by force if necessary, to detain a person.

Bond-007 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Does there have to be an actual offence committed before the Gardaí will act?

No, the perceived likelihood is sufficient:

"Where a member of the Garda Síochána has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is suffering from a mental disorder and that because of the mental disorder there is a serious likelihood of the person causing immediate and serious harm to himself or herself or to other persons..."

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/act/pub/0025/sec0012.html#partii-sec12

Note that the person can be held for a maximum of 24 hours for assessment (section 14) and will be released if not subject to an involuntary admission order. Obtaining a voluntary admission is likely to have a better outcome for all concerned, wherever feasible.