A High Court judge has said a suitable secure place must be found for a 16-year-old boy who is described as a serious threat to his own life and the lives of others.
The boy has a criminal record and a history of "furious driving" of cars, and of alcohol and substance abuse. He is now believed to be sleeping rough. Last December the District Court made an order for his detention for two years.
He was held in St Patrick's Institution but released by Mr Justice Kelly in the High Court after six weeks, when a consultant psychiatrist testified that St Patrick's was detrimental to the boy's mental health. He was permitted to return home.
Mr Justice Kelly said yesterday he was being told day in, day out, week in, week out, that no places were available. "When is it going to stop?" he asked.
The criminal justice system was in chaos. Court orders could not be implemented and the police were totally frustrated at apprehending offenders only to see them out in hours because there were no places.
The judge said he would make an order for the arrest of the boy and his detention in St Patrick's. He listed the case for next Tuesday, by when an appropriate place would have to be found. He was not prepared any longer to be told that no place was available.