Boy told to comply with care plan

A High Court judge has described as "extraordinary" a troubled boy's failure to co-operate with a "comprehensive and expensive" care plan agreed between his court-appointed guardian and a health board.

After hearing yesterday that the 17-year-old boy had gone to England soon after the plan was agreed in late May, in settlement of court proceedings taken by the boy, Mr Justice Murphy said the boy must comply with the plan.

Earlier, Mr Mark de Blacam SC, for the boy, said this was a particularly difficult case. While he could not pretend to be able to explain the boy's attitude, there was a positive sign in that he had returned from England for the court hearing.

Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, for the South Western Area Health Board, said the situation was extremely unsatisfactory.

A sophisticated, complicated care plan had been entered into but it meant nothing without minimum support from the boy. The board intended to maintain the plan, and no amount of unco-operation would alter that position, Mr MacEntee said.

Adjourning the case generally, Mr Justice Murphy said he wanted to "reiterate my amazement" at what had happened.

He praised the efforts of the social workers who work with the boy and who, he noted, had gone to England three weeks ago to visit him.

Their report was positive to the extent they said he "looked extremely well" but the judge stressed he might not continue to do so if he did not co-operate with the plan, which involved supports for his remaining off heroin and his living in supported accommodation.

Yesterday's hearing came after the boy, in late May, withdrew his case against the board and the State, alleging years of failure to provide appropriate care for him.

During the May hearing, the judge was told the boy is one of 10 children of severely alcoholic and dysfunctional parents.

He was first made subject of a care order at the age of two and has been in the care of health boards for most of his life.