Court hears teen in care abroad carried out ‘extreme violence’

The High Court has heard an Irish adolescent placed in care in Scotland has been dealt with by police after he assaulted staff at the care facility.

The case was one of a number heard on the court’s weekly Minor’s List — many of which involve placements of Irish children and young people overseas.

Senior counsel for the HSE, Felix McEnroy, outlined how local police in Scotland had used discretion when dealing with the youth.

A number of violent incidents are understood to have taken place involving the teenager, with the court being told “one of the assaults was a serious enough affair” and there had been “extreme violence visited on staff”.

Mr Justice George Birmingham said the incidents were “shocking”, particularly given the young age of the child.

The case will be reviewed later in the month and psychopathy tests may also be conducted.

In another case, the court was told of a “very intelligent” boy who jumped from a bridge while under the influence of alcohol; overdosed on medication and who, on a day last week, was found sleeping rough in Connolly Station in Dublin.

Despite his “suicidal ideation”, the court heard he was “academically able” and an appeal was made for an education programme to be put in place that would provide him with an intellectual challenge. The order placing him in the care setting was extended.

In another case, a 15-year-old girl may be sent overseas for psychological treatment, after the court heard she had previously been admitted to the John of God’s centre in Dublin.

However, the court was further told there had been “conflicting diagnoses” during the course of her care and, at some point, she had received no medication and no treatment.

In another case, the use of a possible placement in Liverpool for a “very complex” boy was discussed. The facility includes treatment for sexual issues.

Other cases heard included expressions of concern regarding aftercare provision for a young person who has now turned 18 and the need for a forensic psychologist to meet with another child.