Case adjourned against teen linked to prostitutes

The case of a 15-year-old boy, who is a sex abuse victim and believed to be linked to prostitution, has been adjourned pending efforts to place him into a therapeutic unit.

The teenager - who is from Dublin - is now living with relatives outside of the capital over fears for his safety.

The Children’s Court has heard that he had associated with prostitutes, has been in debt to drug dealers, selling drugs at school and known to carry a knife.

It has also been revealed that before he came to the attention of the court he had an income of €300 a week, which is currently under Garda investigation.

And it has been discovered that while he was held in custody amid fears for his safety an individual had been secretly lodging money into his bank account.

It has also been stressed to the young boy that he had to cease the activities from which he had been earning money. The court has also been told that these activities were putting him at huge risk.

Psychologists have also told the court that the boy needs psycho-therapy to return to education and specialised help.

Also the teenager had been subject of an investigation in which he was viewed as the victim, however he did not co-operate with Garda enquiries.

Another issue raised is that the boy would be in danger if he returned to his locality and needs to be moved from there to keep him out of danger.

Yesterday Judge Angela Ni Chonduin adjourned the case after being told that efforts are in train to have the boy placed in a centre which helps victims of sexual abuse.

She adjourned the case the case for three weeks and remanded the teenager on continuing bail.

The teenager had been originally brought before the court last year over assaulting a garda.

He had been caught outdoors at 3.30am in the morning while he was going to Leeson Street in search of a prostitute, the court had heard earlier.

Detective Garda Richard Hampson had told the court that when he asked the young boy where he was going, he replied that he was “going to Leeson Street to seek a prostitute”.

It was then decided that the teenager should be taken back to his home for his own safety.

At that stage the boy was not under arrest but as the garda car neared his home he became extremely aggressive and started to struggle.

His violent behaviour continued and he kicked the detective repeatedly leaving him with bruising on his legs.

The boy has no previous convictions. His mother has become increasingly worried over his problems and is anxious for him to receive help.

Over the last number of months issues relating to the boy being involved in dangerous activities have been raised in court.