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Irish Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Teenager who ‘aged out' of secure care placed in Dublin city centre apartment where staff ‘drop in'
A teenager who 'aged out' of his secure-care placement last weekend has been placed by Tusla in a two-bedroom apartment in Dublin city centre with security guards and care staff 'dropping in'. The High Court heard on Thursday plans for the 18-year-old, who has an emerging personality disorder, were 'grossly inadequate' and would have a 'monumental effect on his behaviour' with potentially 'seismic consequences'. Judge John Jordan was told the young man had been in a secure-care unit for three years until last Friday where he had 'responded well' to antipsychotic medication prescribed by an on-site psychiatrist. A child or young person who is deemed to be at such a risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by the High Court. READ MORE The young man was now in an apartment 'without an adult psychiatrist', said Shane Costello SC, for the man's parents. 'He is being released into the community without even someone to prescribe the medication. He does not yet have a GP. He has nothing to do.' The court heard agency care staff would 'drop in' to visit the young man in his new accommodation. Mr Costello said: 'There is no assessment of needs . . . There is no aftercare document. It is grievously wrong that this is the best we can do in this country for someone with [the teenager's] presentations. 'My clients are distraught. They feel it is only a matter of time before [he] finds himself in great conflict with society which may result in further criminal charges.' Judge Jordan heard the adolescent was before another court on Thursday facing criminal charges relating to events while he was in special care. The parents were 'worried sick' by the situation and 'my heart goes out to them', he said. But as their son was now 18 he could not make orders in respect of his aftercare. Nor could he 'fix' those aspects of mental health services that were 'hugely deficient' in responding to children and young adults with 'emerging personality disorders'. It was an issue 'that needs to be addressed', said the judge 'because it is creating a situation where children coming of age are falling between stools'. 'They are not getting the care or support that they need, It is terribly unfortunate because it seems to me there is good support for the view that [the young man's] prospects are prospects that one can be optimistic about if he gets the mental healthcare and interventions that he needs.' He listed the matter for further review on July 3rd, saying he wanted updates on Tusla's and the HSE's support plans. 'It's not too much to ask and it's not too much for [the man] and his parents to ask,' he said. Earlier, the court heard updates on a case involving 'an incredibly vulnerable girl' aged 17 with an emerging personality disorder, in secure care and fearing she will be 'left with nothing' in mental health supports on reaching 18. 'It is very apparent from the reviews she is a highly intelligent, highly articulate girl with a difficult diagnosis that State services are struggling to manage in respect of a emotionally unstable personality disorder,' the court heard. Judge Jordan was 'not satisfied' sufficient planning was under way for the girl's aftercare. 'I will if needs be, be listing this matter on a frequent basis to expedite the planning,' he said. The number of operational secure-care beds increased from 14 to 15 since last week, the court heard. Among those who got one was a 15-year-old boy who, the court had heard, was 'free falling' and whose father believed would 'die' without secure care.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Irish Times
Failure to provide secure care beds for children at risk an ‘affront to the rule of law'
The ongoing failure of Tusla , the Child and Family Agency, to provide secure care beds to the most at risk, vulnerable children is an 'affront to the rule of law', a High Court judge has said. Judge John Jordan, presiding over the weekly 'no beds' list on Thursday, heard updates on three children in respect of whom secure care orders have been made but who cannot get a bed due to staff shortages. The hearing comes a week after an inquest jury, which found Daniel McAnaspie (17) died by unlawful killing while in the care of the State, recommended increased funding for Tusla to ensure timely access to secure care for the most at risk young people. Meath coroner's court heard the boy, who was murdered in Blanchardstown in February 2010 and his decomposed body found in Co Meath three months later, had 'begged' to be taken into secure care in the months before his death. READ MORE Three applications by social workers for secure care were refused by a HSE special care committee due to lack of beds. A child or young person who is deemed to be at such a risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by the High Court. On Thursday Judge Jordan heard a 15-year-old boy with a neuro-developmental disorder was 'free-falling'. His father believed without secure care the boy 'will die', the court heard. The boy is misusing alcohol and drugs, was found in possession of detergent tablets 'for no reason', is engaging with a family with criminal links, has been assaulted and needs dental care for knocked-out teeth. He faces 90 criminal charges. A 16-year-old girl who is self-harming and has attempted suicide, has been 'drawn into a life of criminality, drug dealing ... dealing in crack cocaine as a result of being ... exploited by a criminal gang', the judge said. She is at physical risk due to travelling in stolen cars and has been 'subjected to sexual exploitation'. Supports put in place for a 17-year-old girl for whom a secure bed order was made in November, were 'not keeping [her] safe'. Recently sexually abused by a person known to pose a risk to children, she was 'very, very reluctant' to be interviewed by gardaí, saying she 'had arranged for a vigilante beating to be delivered to the person she identified as the perpetrator instead', the court heard. She turns 18 next month, becoming ineligible for secure care. 'This is unsatisfactory,' the judge said. 'This child should have been in special care if the Child and Family Agency complied with the order they applied for ... That is an appalling situation and it is very difficult to argue [the girl] has not suffered as a result.' The judge said he was 'tired of the excuses and the platitudes' from the agency. 'Children are suffering and it is known they are suffering,' he said. 'Nobody, no judge should have to sit and listen to anyone, not least the State or an embodiment of the State, attempting to excuse noncompliance with a court order which they applied for and obtained.' The court heard the number of secure care beds had fallen in recent weeks, from 15 to 14. There are 26 such beds but 12 remain closed due to staff shortages. The situation had 'gone backwards', said the judge. 'This system in crisis, this dysfunctional system is getting worse ... It is an indictment of the State that those special care beds are not available.' Legal representatives for Tusla, present in court, did not object to his comments.
