At-risk child returned to centre `with reluctance'

A 12-year-old at-risk child who has been in a remand centre for 13 months was returned there "with great reluctance" by a High Court judge yesterday.

Mr Justice Kelly said it was a disgrace that he had no choice but to return the child and others like him to totally unsuitable accommodation substandard to their needs. He believed it was Dr Johnson who had said "a decent provision for the poor is the test of any civilised society".

"A decent provision for children at risk may also be considered for such a test," he said. "This case demonstrates how spectacularly badly this State has failed that test."

He was not satisfied there was anything like enough planning to deal with the situation between now and the coming into operation of two new High Support Units (HSU) for troubled children.

Last July the judge made an order directing that a 24-bed HSU be opened and operational at Portrane, Co Dublin, within three years. He was told yesterday that the State was not appealing this order.

The judge was dealing with a number of cases of children at risk for whom no suitable accommodation is available.

The 12-year-old boy who was sent to St Michael's Assessment and Remand Centre in Finglas, Dublin, 13 months ago for assessment had become increasingly troubled, Mr Anthony Keating, of St Michael's, said. The centre was not designed or suitable for longterm inmates. The boy was absconding and riding in stolen cars and was targeted by vigilantes. Other children in St Michael's were in a similar situation, he added.

The judge said he would review the situation in four weeks' time. The Eastern Health Board had said resources were not a problem but there were difficulties in getting appropriate accommodation and staff.

He was troubled that while he had been told that 24 prospective children for places in HSUs had been identified, there were only 12 such places - already filled - and plans for "step down" places for five others.

He directed the EHB to compile a list within 14 days of the 24 children it had in mind, the position of each child and its priority in filling HSU places.