The disturbed 17-year-old girl who was detained in Kells Garda station overnight is expected to return to a special therapeutic unit today.
Her solicitor, Mr Patrick Goodwin, visited her yesterday in the Garda station and said he had been assured that the unit will be ready for her today. "She's in good enough spirits," Mr Goodwin said yesterday.
He said the main difficulty at the therapeutic unit had been the staffing levels. He understood that there were now enough health board staff to accommodate her today and that other staff would be trained and provided later. "The plan from what I can see is that she will be back there in the unit by 2 p.m.," Mr Goodwin said.
He said they would be going back to the High Court today before Mr Justice Kelly to inform him of the developments.
It is expected that health board representatives will be able to tell the judge of the condition and facilities at the unit.
Naturally, the girl would not be brought before the court and would go straight to the unit, he said.
Mr Goodwin said the conditions in Kells Garda station where the girl had been brought following her arrest were not too bad.
Last Friday, Mr Justice Kelly varied an order against the Ministers for Justice, Education and Health, and an unnamed health board, to nominate a secure place and directed the Garda to search for, arrest and return the girl to the unit.
He changed the order after a health board official said efforts were being made to reconstitute the unit and to recruit additional staff. He said it was possible the unit would be able to take the girl from today and physical changes had been made.
The State is to provide whatever funding is required for the unit and additional supports for the girl.
The judge said he was satisfied the reconstituted therapeutic unit would be capable of accommodating her and providing for her needs.