Girl was abandoned by parents at 13, court hears

A 15-year-old girl apparently abandoned by her parents, who went to England two years ago leaving her to fend for herself, was remanded in custody today.

Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin said at the Dublin Children’s Court she was “shocked” at hearing about the teen’s situation.

She added that she was going to “lean” on the HSE to provide assistance to the girl, whom the court was told, had been relying on emergency shelter accommodation since she was aged 13.

“I hate to see someone like you out on the streets living as you have been living. I find it really upsetting having to deal with it. My inclination is to remand in custody,” she told the young girl, adding that she had not wanted to resort to detention.

“It is shocking to see someone living like you have been living since you were 13. I don’t know what you have been through, I can only imagine,” said the judge. She went on to say: “My hair is standing on the back of my head when I think of what you have been through.”

The teenager was brought before the court today following her arrest on Monday last at Store Street station in Dublin. The court was told she had been using “out of hours” emergency accommodation for homeless youths for the past two years.

Following the procedures to obtain a bed, she had gone to Store Street garda station to find out which hostel could take her.

The girl had been under the influence of an intoxicant and was arrested there for breach of the peace and assault of a Garda.

The case was put back to be recalled after the lunch-time recess to allow the girl’s solicitor Mr Gareth Noble to contact social services.

When the case was called again, Mr Noble later told Judge Ni Chonduin that he had contacted the HSE and said “they are not sure whether she is in formal care or any type of care.”

He was told the HSE would attempt to clarify if the girl had a social worker. He said it may be a case that could be brought before the childcare courts to have a guardian appointed however that route could not be taken until it has been clarified whether or not the girl was already involved with social services.

“The question remains what to do until then,” he said adding that the girl was seeking bail and hoping to continue using the emergency hostel accommodation.

In reply Judge Ni Chonduin said that although she did not want to remand the girl, who has never been before the courts previously, in custody, she was not going to grant bail.

Prosecuting Garda Stephen Emmett told Judge Ni Chonduin that he did not believe the girl would come back to her court case on the next date if she was granted bail. The girl spoke up and said “I will turn up.”

Remanding the girl, who was dressed in white and navy tracksuit, in custody the judge said she was directing the HSE representatives to attend the case

Solicitor for the HSE, Mr Conor Fottrell, told the judge that efforts would be made to have the duty social work team to be present for the case.