Judge assured concern over reports will be examined

A district judge who complained that reports from the Oberstown youth detention and education centre in Dublin are meaningless and unhelpful to the court was told yesterday that the emphasis was on providing therapy to the youths, but that his concern about reports would be examined.

Judge Con O’Leary said: “ACTS (Assessment Consultation Therapy Service) gave a report to Oberstown but you will not pass that on to me. It is very unsatisfactory, very unfair to the defendant, very unfair to the community who have to live with him and it very unfair to me.

“My interest is primarily the community and keeping the community safe.”