Oberstown denies claims over solitary confinement

The alleged solitary confinement of inmates by the authorities at Oberstown Youth Detention Centre stems from what can only be described as a riot and an attempt to escape resulting in a fire, the High Court heard yesterday.

Cormac Corrigan SC, who appeared with barrister Niall Nolan for Oberstown and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, denied the centre operated a regime of solitary confinement but said it had a “separation policy”.

Sean Gillane SC, who appeared with Aoife McNickle, for one applicant, said their child client had been held in lock-up for 24 hours “without even a shirt on his back”. Patrick McGrath, SC, who appeared with barrister Eoin Lawlor for two children who allege they were locked up alone for up to 24 hours a day, said they had remained in solitary confinement “by any international description” of that term.