An Irish couple asked the High Court yesterday to help them in their quest to have their 17-year-old adopted daughter moved from an inappropriate place in an adult psychiatric unit to a residential care unit.
Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, for the couple, told Mr Justice Gilligan they had adopted a 10-year old foreign-born girl in 1996. Soon after the child came to this country, they discovered she was exhibiting behavioural and mental health difficulties. In August last year, as a result of those difficulties, the girl was placed in an adult psychiatric unit and had remained in care there.
Following a case conference in November last year it was decided her current placement was not suitable, and a more suitable placement was identified.
The health board had challenged the issue of the appropriateness of the proposed placement and of financially assisting the move to the new location.
Ms Ring said the girl was still under 18, and the relief sought, by way of judicial review, was orders directing the health board to provide for the girl's care.
The judge said he would grant an interim injunction directing the board to provide for the girl's interim care in the residential unit proposed and adjourned the matter to tomorrow.