The 15-year-old boy who escaped from Oberstown House after jumping bail 52 times was yesterday rearrested and charged.
He was located by gardai at an address in Fatima Mansions in south Dublin at 8.10 a.m. The Children's Court was later told that the boy gave himself up after contacting gardai.
He was charged with being unlawfully at large and with stealing staff keys at Oberstown House on October 13th. He now faces a total of 58 charges, including robbery, assault, possession of drugs and stealing cars. He was remanded in custody to Obers town House until October 31st.
The boy absconded from the centre with another boy, aged 14, who was later rearrested.
The boy's counsel yesterday requested that the media be prevented from covering the hearing. Judge Michael Connellan said that the media had every right to be in court, but must not reveal the boy's identity.
The court was told that the boy had been committed to Oberstown House early last month to serve a two-year sentence.
Mr Michael Woodlock, deputy director of Oberstown House, said that the centre was not a secure unit, but because Trinity House had no beds his staff was willing to work with the boy if he co-operated.
Earlier, the Children's Court was told that another 15-year-old boy would be spending the night in Store Street Garda station as no place was available in a detention centre.
Judge Connellan expressed frustration at the lack of detention facilities. The Oireachtas should address the issue, he said.