Garda and HSE probe case of European teen who fled Irish foster placement

The HSE and Garda are investigating how a troubled European teenager was placed with a family who had not been vetted and from whom he fled, going missing for 48 hours.

The boy was found sleeping rough, having spent a night out in the open. The incident has raised concerns over his placement with the family, and focused attention on other children from the Continent understood to have been placed with families around the country by the same European agency.

It is understood the embassy of the boy’s country of origin may wish to have him repatriated, while his relatives have come here to check on his welfare.