Teen living in caravan 'unfit for a dog', court told

A 15-year-old boy was yesterday given a bed in a detention centre after a court heard that he was found sleeping in a filthy caravan described as unfit for a dog.

In addition to the squalor, the only adult found with the boy was so drunk "he didn’t have a clue as to what was going on", the Dublin Children’s Court heard.

Finglas Garda Donie Tarrant said had he arrested the teenager, in the early hours of yesterday morning for skipping court and in relation to a criminal damage charge.

The boy’s reply after he was charged was: "They made me do it," Garda Tarrant told Judge Michael Connellan.

Garda Tarrant then asked the judge to remand the dishevelled looking and bloodshot eyed boy in custody.

The young boy then asked for bail saying that he could live with his uncle. When quizzed by the judge as to his accommodation circumstances, the boy gave two different addresses before eventually settling on the first address.

He claimed that he lived there with his mother and an uncle.

Continuing his objection to bail, Garda Tarrant then described the dilapidated conditions in which he had found the teenager.

"The caravan I arrested him in was uninhabitable, you wouldn’t put a dog in it. He has been living on the streets as far as I can gather," the garda told the court.

The boy continued his claim that he could reside with his uncle. Garda Tarrant agreed that this man had been present when the boy was arrested. However he added that the uncle was so intoxicated that "he didn’t have a clue as to what was going on".

Judge Connellan said he could not grant bail, as it appeared the boy is homeless and that he would have to find a place to put him.

"I have to get a place, I cannot remand him without a place. And unfortunately they are very limited."

It was then established that a remand bed was available in the Trinity House Detention Centre where the judge decided to hold the boy.

"The garda says he was in a caravan you would not put a dog into. When arrested he said ‘they made me do it’, I don’t know who they are but obviously they are putting on pressure.

Judge Connellan also informed the garda to caution the boy’s parents to be in court next week as well.