Self-harming teenager seeks to return to Ireland

A Irishwoman with a history of self-harm who has spent 19 months in a specialist facility in England has appealed to be allowed to return to Ireland in line with a High Court order made in March.

However, the HSE asked Mr Justice Seamus Noonan to vary aspects of the March order of Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon directing the return of the 18-year-old. It argues her health condition has deteriorated, her safety is a priority, she is a suicide risk, and there is no suitable facility here to treat adolescents with psychiatric difficulties.

The woman denies her condition deteriorated, says that recent self-harming episodes were “superficial” and due to frustration at not being permitted return home, and any suicide risk would be reduced by returning.

The HSE has appealed the March order to the Court of Appeal, which has placed a stay on the order pending the outcome of the applicator to vary it.

In documents read to the court, the woman said she feels “so isolated and very alone” in England and does not want to stay there.

Her preferred option was to live here with her father and she is prepared to voluntarily co-operate with treatment, the judge was told.

The woman said she had had a normal childhood until she began experiencing bullying from the age of 11.

After a particular incident, she began cutting herself and became “the HSE’s problem”, she said. At 14, she was treated in hospital and put on high doses of medication.

She was flown by military aircraft to the English hospital in late 2013.

When she turned 18 early this year, she again sought to return home.

The High Court last March found she lacked capacity but should be returned to and treated in Ireland.