The absence in this State of any secure psychiatric facility for children and adolescents was again highlighted at the High Court yesterday in proceedings taken by a 16-year-old girl being detained in the locked ward of an adult psychiatric hospital.
Mr Justice Kelly granted leave to Ms Inge Clissmann SC, for the girl, to seek a mandatory order compelling the Northern Area Health Board and State to provide appropriate accommodation and treatment for her in a secure child and adolescent psychiatric unit or institution.
The girl, who gave birth last year, is currently detained under the Mental Treatment Acts in a Dublin psychiatric hospital where she is held in a locked ward with adult women, including psychotic and very ill patients. The girl was previously placed in Ballydowd special care unit but moved home when she became pregnant.
The girl began to display behavioural difficulties after giving birth and left home with her child. She was placed in an adult psychiatric hospital, was then moved to a psychiatric unit in a general hospital and was then readmitted to Ballydowd.
The girl's case came before the High Court in March, when a psychiatrist said the adult psychiatric hospital was the best available option.
The court ordered her detention in the hospital but discharged the order on April 5th last. The girl was then detained under the Mental Treatment Act. The girl remains at the adult hospital.