Dublin Children's Court has heard that a troubled 14-year-old girl needs a two-year placement at a secure therapeutic care facility which the State cannot provide.
The girl was remanded in custody to Oberstown Girls Centre in mid-September after being charged with three assaults that allegedly took place in the west Dublin care home where she lived.
Judge Catherine Murphy heard yesterday that psychological and psychiatric reports recommended that she be placed in a secure unit with therapeutic intervention for two years. She also heard there were no such care placements available in the State.
The judge said the girl "had huge difficulties in her life and had undergone enormous and unimaginable stress. She needs something to try to give her a chance in life."
The court heard a proposal that if the girl was granted bail she could reside in a non-secure care home in Wexford. Judge Murphy said: "She would abscond during the first 24 hours. That is the reality."
She also added that there was no legal impediment to seeking a suitable care placement outside the jurisdiction if it were not available in the State.
If the placement in the care home in Wexford was taken up, funding from the Health Service Executive would be needed to provide therapeutic intervention, the court was also informed.
There had also been differing opinions within the HSE on whether the girl should be sent to a centre overseas.
Judge Murphy remanded the girl in custody until later this month.