No appropriate place for troubled boy, court told

Trinity House, the State's only secure centre for juvenile offenders, is having "enormous problems" dealing with troubled children referred to it by the courts in the absence of suitable places elsewhere.

The centre's director told the High Court yesterday that convicted offenders were being refused because eight of the centre's 22 beds were taken up by children who should be in a therapeutic environment.

One extremely disturbed boy had to be managed by three staff and had recently swallowed glass and staples when trying to kill himself, Mr Michael Donlon said. Next week, for the first time, Trinity House would have a regular psychiatrist to assist it in managing such children.

Mr Donlon said the house was never designed to cater for disturbed children and its ethos had been forcibly changed. All its beds were full and he did not know when one would be available.

Because of a refurbishment programme, Oberstown Boys' Centre, a State reformatory school, now has only 17 beds instead of 30 and all are occupied, its director, Mr Michael O'Connor, said. Both men were giving evidence during a hearing to decide where to place a 15-year-old troubled boy who has been detained in St Patrick's Institution since December 18th because there is nowhere else available.

Experts have said the boy requires age-appropriate secure therapeutic accommodation.

He has a history of solvent, alcohol and drug abuse, "furious" driving of stolen cars and was said to be addicted to phone sex lines. His behaviour was described as representing a real risk to his life and that of others.

Mr Justice Kelly was told by counsel for the State and South Western Area Health Board that there was no appropriate secure place for the boy, and, in those circumstances, they applied for him to remain at St Patrick's.

The boy's mother opposed his remaining at St Patrick's and asked that he be allowed home. He had a behavioural disorder for which she had sought help since he was seven years old. She believed the home option, with appropriate back-up supports, was worth the risk.

Father Peter McVerry said he had visited inmates in St Patrick's for more than 20 years and detention there was not in the interests of any child. The boy was being detained on a small landing in what inmates described as the "punishment" basement with sex offenders, prisoners on protection and prisoners on punishment. What was required for this boy was a "leap of imagination"

Mr Roger Killeen, of the Department of Education, said there were increasing difficulties with the type of children coming into centres like Trinity House and Oberstown. The buildings were not secure enough and were being adapted to provide additional security and places.

He regretted very much that no place was available but strenuous efforts had been made to find one and would continue. On age grounds alone, he believed the boy should not be in St Patrick's.

Mr Justice Kelly said the evidence he had heard underlined the "truly chaotic" situation in the criminal justice system.

He said what the court was witnessing was the fruit of years of neglect by the State to address the needs of such children.

The first right of this boy was his right to life and there was a real risk that if he was not in a secure place, he or others might die.

The judge said he had no option but to return him to St Patrick's in the short term but the health board would have to provide supports. The option of placing the boy in the Ballydowd special care unit should also be explored.