Troubled teen fled home and attacked care worker

A troubled youth has been remanded in custody after a court heard he repeatedly absconded from a care home and attacked a staff member,

The 15-year-old is facing charges at the Dublin Children’s Court for criminal damage and theft offences, most of which are alleged to have occurred in his care home in recent months.

He is accused of criminal damage to and interfering with a car close to his accommodation on February 15, and damage to a door keypad at the facility.

He is also charged with theft of a staff member’s purse, containing €25, at the care home on January 29, criminal damage to a table there on February 25, stealing a 42-inch plasma TV from the facility on February 10, and assaulting a female on the same date.

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He has one other charge, being intoxicated on Princes St in Dublin City centre on February 3.

In an objection to bail Judge John O’Connor heard evidence the teenager had gone missing from care on six occasions since March 27.

A care worker said the teenager had “destroyed a bedroom and upstairs landing” and had been affected by substance abuse.

In another incident, he wanted to go on an unauthorised absence and punched a care worker twice in the head. The man’s glasses fell to the ground and, when he went to pick them up, he was kicked a number of times.

The teenager’s care placement could be discontinued from next week, the juvenile court was told.

Judge O’Connor remanded the boy, who has not yet pleaded to his charges, in custody for one week when the issue of bail will be addressed again.

He also said he expected the Child and Family Agency to have some placement for the boy, who did not address the court, on his release.

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