A 15-year-old boy who was turned away from a State remand centre last month, despite a District Court order that he be detained there for two years, voluntarily went to the centre yesterday after a place was found for him following High Court intervention.
On April 23rd the District Court made an order for the detention of the boy at the centre. However, there was no place available.
Three days later lawyers for the boy secured High Court leave to seek orders in court compelling the authorities and the Eastern Health Board to provide suitable accommodation. It also made an order for the arrest of the boy for his own protection.
It was stated the boy had been involved in taking "considerable quantities" of drugs and in crime.
At the High Court yesterday Mr Gerry Durcan SC, for the boy, said it had not been necessary to arrest the boy and he had come voluntarily to court. A place was now available at the remand centre. The High Court's intervention had resulted in a place becoming available.
Mr Justice Kelly said the boy realised he needed to go to the centre to receive care and attention and for his own welfare, safety and, indeed, life. It had been indicated to the court there was now a place for him as a result of the granting of leave to take a judicial review.
He struck out the judicial review and directed that the boy be detained at the centre on foot of the original District Court order.