Judge appeals for 'meaningful' action for disturbed teenager

A High Court judge has urged that "something meaningful" be done for an out-of-control teenage boy who has a history of suicide attempts and is sleeping on the streets of Dublin.

Mr Justice Ó Caoimh said reports indicated the 14-year-old, who has a troubled history and was voluntarily placed by his mother in the care of the East Coast Area Health Board last March, is "at severe risk".

"Something meaningful should be done and serious efforts should be made to secure a place for this young boy who seems to be completely out of control," he said. The question of the boy accessing services on a "take it or leave it" basis when he was clearly at severe risk did not meet his needs.

The judge was hearing an application by Ms Nuala Egan, for the boy, for leave to seek orders compelling the health board to provide appropriate care for the boy in a residential unit outside Dublin.

Ms Egan said the boy was assessed by an agency of the board last February and it recommended he be placed in a unit outside Dublin because he was easily led and associated with an undesirable peer group.

However, no appropriate service was provided and the boy's mother had learned he had spent at least three nights last week on O'Connell Street in Dublin, counsel said. The outcome of a meeting about the boy's situation last Tuesday was that no suitable place was available for the child.

Counsel for the board said the boy had been placed in hostel accommodation in Dublin city but that broke down. Other services were also provided but he had not co-operated with these. She said it was difficult for the board to provide services because the boy was difficult and was not co-operating.

The judge said the matter was urgent. However, he granted the board's application to adjourn the matter to Tuesday.