Two teenage boys facing criminal charges including car theft were freed by the High Court yesterday after it found they had been unlawfully detained in Tallaght Garda station.
The boys were taken to the station because no places were available in Oberstown Boys' Centre or St Michael's Assessment Centre. Both had been taken to the units but were turned away.
The boys, both 15, appeared before Dublin District Court on a number of charges. One is charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle without the owner's consent and with causing damage to property.
The second had pleaded guilty to charges including larceny of CDs and driving a car at speed and in a dangerous manner. He was remanded to Oberstown, but it could not admit him because it was full.
Mr Kevin Tunney, solicitor for the boys, took High Court proceedings, arguing they were unlawfully detained.
When the matter came before Mr Justice McKechnie yesterday, Dr Michael Forde SC, for the boys, secured their release under Article 40 of the Constitution.