Judge requests HSE explanation of ‘inaction’ over juvenile defendants

A DISTRICT court judge said he was staggered by the “inaction” of a Health Service Executive committee in its approach to juvenile offenders before the courts.

Judge Con O’Leary requested a member of the committee for admissions and discharge for special care to attend Cork District Court, to explain what he described as their inaction.

The issue arose as the judge was dealing with two 15-year-old boys, before the court on criminal charges.

One is charged with stealing four cars since January 20. The other admitted yesterday that he broke into a car and stole property, including two mobile phones.

Both juveniles were remanded in custody to Trinity House and Oberstown, respectively, until Monday.

The HSE committee for admissions assesses the suitability of teenagers under 16 for detention in special care institutions.

HSE solicitor David McCoy said that the had a policy of not assessing individuals while they were before the criminal courts.

“It is not an absolute, but it is the policy,” he added.

Judge O’Leary said the HSE should not wait until the courts were finished with such defendants.