Services ‘passing parcel’ on teens in care

State services are now operating a “pass the parcel” system when dealing with troubled teens, a District Court judge has warned.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly voiced his concerns after learning that dangerous young criminals are routinely placed in Limerick University Hospital wards, among very sick patients, when the State has no secure unit for them.

Judge O’Kelly was told in court yesterday that a 16-year-old “escaped” from the hospital over the weekend, after he had been placed into the care of the HSE by another judge.