A 15-year-old boy was being held in custody in Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin last night because there was no place for him at Oberstown House assessment centre in north County Dublin.
The youth had been arrested by Gardai on Tuesday night and brought before the Children's Court yesterday charged with a number of offences, including assault with a screwdriver.
Gardai objected to bail and he was remanded to Oberstown House. But when he was brought there was no place for him.
When he was returned to the court yesterday afternoon it emerged that another youth willing to go bail for him was wanted by the Gardai. When this youth was told there was a warrant out for him, he ran from the courtroom without posting bail.
The youth was then remanded in custody to Pearse Street Garda Station with consent to bail.
RTE reported last night that the youth has been arrested by gardai 22 times in the last 18 months. His alleged crimes include possession of heroin, robbery, stealing and damaging cars, and assaults. He is also reported to have jumped bail 51 times.
The youth is expected to be detained in Pearse Street until tomorrow morning, when he is due back in court. The authorities fear that if he is given bail he will abscond again.
No one was available at the Department of Education last night to comment on the lack of custody places available for young offenders.