Detention centre closes wing to hold boy

A Juvenile detention centre which has just 30 places was yesterday forced to close down an entire wing so an out-of-control boy could be held there, a court heard today.

Dublin Children’s Court was told that the boy who had been put into in the secure Trinity House detention centre, for children under 16, had attacked staff eight times, had been keeping weapons and was out of control.

The boy, now aged 16, had been recently remanded in custody to St Patrick’s Institution after new charges for burglary and car theft were brought.

Judge Bryan Smyth was told that the boy was seeking bail on these charges resulting in his return to the Trinity House Detention Centre to continue his sentence.

In pleas for bail the court heard that the boy had been in foster care since he was 3-years-old, and if further remanded to St Patrick’s Institution he would not benefit from care plans that have been devised for him by social workers.

Judge Smyth was told that Trinity House is a more suitable environment for the boy than St Patrick’s Institution. And the court was told that the boy is anxious to return there having spent two weeks in St Patrick’s Institution.

However, the deputy director of Trinity House, Mr Damien Hernon, said that in the last three months there have been eight assaults on staff members and "15 other issues."

"I can say that we are the only secure unit in Ireland but unfortunately we cannot look after him."

Mr Hernon added that if the boy was returned to Trinity House it would be necessary for them to close down an entire wing of the unit, including eight beds, so they could look after him.

He also said that if returned to the centre they would take steps to have the boy declared too unruly to be held in their custody and for him to be moved.

"We have given him every chance, we have tried everything with him, if he comes back today it would require closing down a unit of eight beds to look after him."

"We can’t contain him, there is a history of assault and aggressive behaviour that we cannot manage," he added.

Judge Smyth granted bail, releasing the boy from St Patrick’s Institution to go back to Trinity House, adding, however that he was "reluctant" to do so.

Adjourning the case for two weeks, Judge Smyth told Mr Hernon, that it would be possible to make a formal application to the court to have the boy moved out of Trinity House.