HSE locking up innocent teens ‘puts them at risk’

The HSE is putting vulnerable teens who have committed no crime at serious risk by locking them up for 12 hours a day alongside others who have a history of arson and substance abuse.

The situation, similar to problems found in a now-closed unit last year, was revealed by independent watchdog the Health Information Quality Authority (Hiqa).

A report by the group’s inspection team has highlighted the difficulties at the Crannóg Nua high-support unit in North Dublin, which caters for teens with complex and at times violent issues.