Court told boy (15) detained for weekend at Bridewell

A homeless out-of-control boy, who lived for several months in a stolen car, was detained at the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin for two nights because there was no other place available for him, the High Court has been told.

Mr Justice Kelly was told yesterday a place was now available for the 15-year-old in an assessment centre and he directed the boy go there pending a further court order. He also directed that an assessment be carried out to determine the boy's future needs.

Ms Nuala Egan, for the boy, said his mother had taken him to the doctor when he was aged seven because she was concerned he had special needs. The boy was referred to a psychiatrist who, after an assessment, had asked the local health board to make the case a priority.

That did not happen, Ms Egan said. The situation deteriorated and, at 12 years of age, the boy began to use drugs. He had also abused solvents and alcohol.

Recently, a small anti-social element had crept into his behaviour. He pleaded guilty to public order offences and was sent to Trinity House detention centre last June. The unit, however, did not regard his behaviour as sufficiently criminalised for him to fit in there. He was then placed in an addiction centre but that did not work out because of his difficult behaviour.

The boy has been living away from home for some months and is beyond the control of his mother who has been very proactive on his behalf. He was arrested in Newry, Co Down, for theft of a vehicle and was also arrested in the Republic.

A warrant for his arrest was issued last week and when he was located on Saturday, he was detained at the Bridewell Garda station. The matter came before the High Court on Sunday when he was again returned to the Bridewell because there was no appropriate place available.

Mr Barry O'Donnell, for the South Western Area Health Board, said he was still seeking detailed instructions. He said this was a case entering the criminal justice area rather than healthcare but it was certainly more appropriate that the boy be placed in the assessment centre than the Bridewell station.

Mr Justice Kelly said the boy clearly required a secure place to recover his balance and prepare for an adult life. His present behaviour was self-destructive in the extreme.

He directed the boy be taken to the assessment centre and an assessment be carried out. He returned the matter for review on December 18th.