A High Court judge yesterday expressed concern that a seriously disturbed teenage boy, who suffers from violent sexual fantasies, is absconding with increasing regularity from a centre where he is undergoing therapy. Mr Justice Kelly noted that the 13-year-old slightly mentally handicapped boy had already perpetrated a "violent ferocious attack" on a member of staff at the therapeutic centre and was regarded as a high risk, particularly to adult women, but also to young girls and boys.
In care since he was nine, the boy, who cannot be named, comes from a dysfunctional family background, has suffered sexual abuse from a young age by adults and has a history of violence and arson. He has been in a number of institutions, including a State detention centre, none of which were regarded as appropriate to his needs.
At a previous hearing, Mr Justice Kelly described psychiatric reports on the child as among the "most profoundly disturbing" he had ever read.
In September 1999 the boy was placed in a therapeutic unit run by a health board. Mr Justice Kelly ordered that the location of the unit not be identified. The boy is undergoing a programme of assessment and psychotherapy expected to conclude in October.
Yesterday Mr Aongus O Brolchain, for the health board with statutory responsibility for the boy's welfare, said the assessment of the case had not concluded and the boy was receiving psychotherapy. A number of disturbing incidents had happened and there were difficulties between the boy and staff.
However, the overwhelming opinion of those involved in the case was that the boy should remain where he was. It was believed the centre was the best place for him at the moment. The judge was told the boy had absconded 12 times, including five occasions in the past 10 days. Once he was absent for five hours. The judge heard the unit was not secure and was not designed to be, and that the health board was not in a position to provide a secure unit.
Mr O Brolchain said a secure premises was being opened in the next month or so, and a place might be sought there.
Mr Justice Kelly said he would adjourn the matter for one week and direct that the boy remain where he was for that period. The Garda was free to arrest him without warrant should he abscond again. In the meantime, Mr Justice Kelly said, he wanted to hear proposals either to increase security at the therapeutic unit or for the boy's placement in a secure unit.
