The families of residents at Owenacurra say they are more determined than ever to continue their campaign to keep the long-stay mental health centre open.
The HSE says it plans to close the centre where 11 residents currently live on the grounds of Midleton Community Hospital due to the poor condition of the building.
Families of residents met earlier this week in Midleton to discuss the planned closure, which they say will have a huge negative impact on residents, some of whom have been living at the centre for over 20 years.
The Joint Committee on Health previously visited the centre and wrote to the Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler asking her to allow the centre to remain open.
The Transport Minister Eamon Ryan also told RedFM news that he felt Owenacurra should not be closed.
Mary Hurley's sister has lived at Owenacurra for the past 25 years...
Mary told RedFM News that the centre is her sister's home and she doesn't want to leave.
"This is a vital service that is under threat.
"Nobody wants to have to avail of such services, but it's like a life boat - you don't know you need it until you need it, and it's been a lifeline for my sister and our family.
"It's given her a quality to her life, she has settled in Owenacurra, she enjoys very positive relationships with people she has gotten to know, both in the centre but equally as important, in the town."
