A High Court judge has given the Southern Health Board one more week to find a placement for an out-of control 14-year-old boy with a history of absconding from a series of institutions.
Professionals who have assessed the boy, who has no criminal record but whose behaviour is out of control, have recommended he be placed in a secure therapeutic facility but there is no place available in any such unit at present.
Mr Justice Kearns was told yesterday the SHB had found an emergency bed for the boy in another unit which bed was available for a week only.
The unit was not secure and the boy had absconded from there before.
The judge said he would direct the boy's transfer to the unit for one week but the SHB would have to come up with another proposal by then.
