Treatment denied to Irish national

An unnamed Irishman has been refused medical treatment for his
alcohol dependency by Westminster social services.

The man, an Irish national of no fixed abode, was referred to a
crisis centre for alcohol detoxification but staff decided he
needed longer-term residential rehabilitation. But, Westminster
refused to fund the treatment, claiming there was no obligation for
them to do so under section 54 of the new Nationality, Immigration
and Asylum Act 2002.

Radomir Lazarevich, manager of the crisis centre, said the council
was interpreting the law incorrectly.