A 12-year-old boy who is abusing drugs and described as a danger to himself and others has been told there is no appropriate place for him until he reaches the age of 15, the High Court heard yesterday.
Mr Justice Kelly gave leave to Mr Tom Creed SC, for the boy, to seek orders directing the Southern Health Board and the State to provide appropriate accommodation, care and education for the child.
Mr Creed said the SHB has failed to meet its obligations under the Child Care Act.
The court heard the child's home situation was "chaotic" and dirty, his mother was on valium and unable to control him and there were difficulties between his mother and father. The boy was said not to be attending school, to be using drugs and associating with drug-users and to be involved in criminal activity.
Mr Creed said the only facility available to meet the boy's needs was a unit which would only take children aged 15 and over. The SHB had accepted the boy was out of control but had made no application to place the child in care.