A disturbed teenage boy who made several attempts to kill himself and had dealings with drug-dealers and prostitutes after escaping from an unsecured State centre was returned there by a High Court judge yesterday because there was no place available for him in any secure centre.
Mr Justice Kelly heard that there were delays in making operational a new 24-bed secure unit at Ballydowd, Lucan, the building of which was ordered three years ago. There are only two children in Ballydowd at present, although it was supposed to have had eight places available by September 5th.
Ms Carmel Stewart, for the Eastern Regional Health Authority, indicated that there were problems at Ballydowd. These are to be outlined to Mr Justice Kelly at a special hearing next Tuesday.
Yesterday the judge was dealing with the case of a 14-year-old boy who has escaped on a number of occasions from an unsecured centre. Reports relating to the boy's situation made very disturbing reading, the judge remarked.
Mr David Bairnville, for the State, said that the boy, following his latest absconding, had been returned to the unsecured centre on September 21st. Two and sometimes three staff members had been allocated to him and remained with him on a 24-hour basis.
That situation could not continue indefinitely, counsel said. His client would do what it could to find a secure place, but no places were available at present at Trinity House, Oberstown Boys' Centre or Ballydowd.
Mr Pol O Murchu, solicitor for the boy, said that the situation was very worrying, but the boy had not absconded since September 21st. He said that the unsecured centre wanted to know when a place would be available at Ballydowd.
Mr Justice Kelly said it was clear that the boy required a secure place, but there was no such place available. The staff at the unsecured centre were doing their best, but it was not appropriate for the boy, who had escaped from the centre and had engaged in drug-dealing and abuse. He had become involved with prostitutes and had attempted to take his own life.
All he could do was direct that the boy remain at the unsecured centre and that the current staff allocation to him remain in place. He would hold the matter over until next Tuesday, when the Ballydowd situation would be clarified.
