Row delayed 16-year-old’s access to psychiatric services

A 16-YEAR-OLD girl who displayed suicidal tendencies was initially denied access to psychiatric services because of a dispute over whether she should be assessed by adult or child services, the High Court has heard.

The girl, who was eventually assessed after court proceedings were threatened, cannot be identified for legal reasons.

She is now detained on foot of a High Court order at a secure unit outside Dublin on grounds that she is at risk of self-harm.