Teen ‘institutionalised’ by care unit detention

A TEENAGER was left “institutionalised” and unfit for mainstream education after being detained in a controversial children’s care facility, a court has heard.

The boy, aged 15, was before the Children’s Court where he pleaded guilty to possessing two stolen car radio sets, in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on April 9, 2010.

Garda Ann Irwin told Judge Ann Ryan that the boy “refused to give comments on where he got the two radios”.