Michael's Story:On the night before he left for Sweden, Michael was "buzzin". The 17-year-old has spent much of the last six years in care.
Earlier this month, following a prolonged campaign by his parents, the East Coast Area Health Board (ECAHB), agreed to send him to a special community based-facility, Hassela, on the Swedish island of Gotland. It was just in time. He was facing charges in the courts that could have led to him being jailed for up to two years.
Hassela's management believe they will be able to do what numerous care facilities in Ireland were unable to do - provide an adequate care programme for him to address his serious behavioural problems.
Michael was abused by an uncle when he was a toddler. However it was not until he turned 11 that the problems began. It started with absenteeism from school but deteriorated to aggressive behaviour, culminating with an arson attack on a local church.
He was taken into care in 1998 and was sent by the High Court to Newtown House, with a detailed psychological treatment programme recommended for him.
While there, Michael's parents became concerned about the care he was receiving. The psychological treatment he was receiving was minimal. Michael also claimed he was being kept in a locked room for most of the day, while physical restraint was commonplace in the home.
They took a case before Judge Kelly to have their son moved out. Their claims were dismissed, though Michael was moved from Newtown House in the mean-time. His parents were subsequently vindicated in a report into the house by the Irish Social Services Inspectorate in 2001.
Following Newtown House Michael spent time in Finglas Children's Centre, but kept absconding and turning up back at home. In late 2000 he was sent toTrinity House in north Dublin, a detention centre for 14 to 16- year-olds convicted of criminal offences. Michael had never been convicted of a crime. However he spent over a year there before returning home in 2002.
Like many others in secure care, he did not receive adequate therapeutic treatment for his underlying problems, which stemmed from the abuse.
His violent and unstable behaviour was continuing at home, and he was getting involved in crime. His two younger siblings were taken into care, pending a decision on his future.
His parents persevered however. Having seen media reports about Hassela they began a campaign to get him sent there. In December the placement was approved. On December 12th the final obstacle was lifted when he received a suspended sentence for various offences - subject to him being treated in Sweden.
He is now beginning to talk about his behaviour and the sexual abuse he suffered. He describes feeling "angry and confused" and having "a sick feeling in my body".
"Nobody was asking me questions, about how I felt and what I wanted. All I knew is that people were telling me there was something wrong with me."
He has a girlfriend and a three-month-old son, who, he says, he wants to provide for. "I'm going to give him a good life."