Concerns over ‘shabby’ health services

The mother of a teenager with autism complained in court yesterday that mental health services for her son were shabby.

She made the complaint during a discussion of services as the boy was released following almost a month in custody for causing problems in his neighbourhood.

John Waij, aged 19, of Gould St, Cork, has spent that time in custody but Judge Olann Kelleher said prison was not the best place for him. However, the judge was concerned about what services were available and had requested the presence of a HSE official in Cork District Court yesterday to assist the court on available options.