Niall Tyrrell: Inquest Opens Into Self-inflicted Death At Manchester Mental Health Hospital

Before HM Coroner Zak Golombeck 

Niall Tyrrell, 28, was found ligatured whilst an inpatient at Juniper Ward, the intensive psychiatric care unit at Park House Hospital, Manchester on 2 May 2022. Now an inquest will look at the circumstances of his death and the care he received prior to his death.

Niall had a long history of depression and complex mental health needs, including a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).

Niall was first detained at Mulberry Ward on 9 April 2022. He was allowed escorted leave if accompanied by his mum. 

On 21 April, Niall was allowed to leave the ward after pretending that his mother was downstairs to collect him. She had warned staff the day before, and again that same day, that this would not be true.

Niall absconded and later phoned his mum threatening to take his own life. Police were called and took Niall to hospital. He was found to be suffering from a rare condition due to medication side effects.

On 26 April, Niall attempted to ligature on the hospital ward. He was placed under constant observations and two members of staff had to be with him at all times. 

The next day, Niall was returned to Mulberry Ward. He again absconded and was found by his family on top of a bridge. When he was returned to the ward, he was placed on one-to-one constant observations.  

On 28 April, a decision was made to transfer him to Juniper Ward at the same hospital, and his observations were reduced to one every 15 minutes.

On 1 May, Niall’s mother phoned the ward expressing how worried she was about Niall’s safety and asked them to keep a close eye on him. The next day, Niall was found ligatured and taken to hospital. He died later that day.

Niall’s family have serious concerns about the care he received at Park House Hospital. They now hope the inquest will consider:

• the reduction of the level of Niall’s observations prior to his death
• risk assessments in place relating to en-suite bathroom doors in terms of ligature points

• the response to concerns expressed by Niall’s mother in the last 24 hours of his life as to his low mood and failure to communicate

• any delay in carrying out checks due at the time of his death.

Speaking ahead of the inquest, Joanne Tyrell, Niall’s mother, said: “Niall was a gentle character, loved dearly by us all, who didn’t like confrontation or violence. His mental health condition took the form of intrusive thoughts urging him to harm others or himself which caused him anguish, and he hoped desperately for therapy to eliminate these.”

ENDS

Other Interested Persons represented are the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (‘GMMH’). 

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.

Other related deaths

Greater Manchester NHS Trust has recently been graded ‘overall inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission.

• Charlie Millers, 17, died in December 2020 whilst an inpatient at Prestwich Hospital (run by the same trust). An inquest into his death was adjourned earlier this year due to a police investigation into the circumstances around his death. Media release.

• Rowan Thompson, 18, died on 3 October 2020 whilst an inpatient at the Gardener Unit, a medium secure adolescent mental health unit in Prestwich Hospital. Rowan was non-binary. An inquest in December 2022 found that their death was contributed to by neglect due to the failure to communicate the findings of blood tests.  Media release. 

• Ania Sohail, 21, died in June 2021 whilst at Junction 17 in Prestwich Hospital. An inquest jury concluded in January 2023 that her death by suicide was 'contributed to by the ineffectiveness of searches, post leave assessment and safety plans which reflected Ania's risk'. See media coverage.