Mark's story:Mark, a brain-damaged 17-year-old, spent this Christmas on the streets of Dublin. It was his first time out of care in three years
In the summer of 2001, his case made headlines when Judge Kelly was forced to send him to St Patrick's institution, the wing of Mountjoy designed for convicted criminals usually aged between 16 and 19. There was no other secure detention facility available to hold him. He spent two weeks there while he waited for a place to become available at the Ballydowd high-support unit.
Mark comes from a very disadvantaged background. His father, a chronic alcoholic, lives on the streets. His mother also had a serious drink problem, and died from cancer last year. Since the mid-1990s, he has been getting into trouble with the law and the authorities, spending time in the late 1990s at a residential school. He was effectively out of control.
In October 2001, he was the passenger in a stolen car which crashed. He suffered brain damage. Despite the injury, which exacerbated his behavioural problems, there was no suitable place available for him.
His solicitor, Ms Sarah Molloy of Terence Lyons and Co, took his case to the High Court. Following his stay in St Patrick's, a place in Ballydowd was found.
He spent over 15 months in Ballydowd, and his behaviour improved greatly. Throughout that time he was receiving no treatment for his brain damage.
In January this year, he left Ballydowd and moved to a boy's home in Dublin.
Without much support for him, Mark drifted back on to the streets, staying at a homeless hostel or the family flat, where his older sister was living with her family. He has also been in and out of the Children's Court over that time on various charges, including assault.
His neurological problems are continuing, with both his speech and movement affected. He often shuffles like an old man. He is withdrawn, and intimidated by other teenagers. He is also suicidal. Last month a suicide attempt while in the custody room of the Children's Court was narrowly averted when his barrister walked in on the attempt.
Ms Molloy is trying to get him a place at a facility in Britain which caters for young people with brain damage like Mark.
Up until last month his health board, the South Western Area Health Board, had been saying there were insufficient funds to send him. This claim has since been withdrawn, and a recent court hearing involving Mark was told the funding had now become available.