A 17-YEAR-OLD youth charged in connection with a serious assault on a 16-year-old boy was refused bail yesterday after a court heard the HSE had no suitable accommodation for him.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with assault causing serious harm to the boy at Applegreen filling station, Corbally, Co Clare, on July 23rd. The 16- year-old remained in a critical condition at the Mid Western Regional Hospital last night following last weekend’s incident.
Yesterday during a bail application at the Children’s Court in Limerick, it emerged that the 17-year- old was under a voluntary temporary care order of the HSE at the time of the alleged incident.
Det Garda Andrew Lacey said the State was objecting to bail because of the seriousness of the charge, which on conviction carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
Det Garda Lacey told the court there was a possibility of more serious charges being brought in the case, pending directions from the DPP. The garda said the youth had been under the temporary care of the HSE, which was not in a position to care for him any more.
Judge Eamon O’Brien heard the accused youth’s parents were not in a position to care for their son at this time.
Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client had never been in court before and had co-operated with gardaí after his arrest. He said there were residential care units for young people such as his client.
When called to give evidence, Tim Hanley, regional manager for foster care and aftercare, HSE Mid West, said he was asked to see whether there was suitable accommodation in the HSE for the accused, but there was nothing suitable either locally or nationally. Mr Hanley said the HSE’s primary concern was for the safety of other residents and staff.
The witness said there were four young people waiting for special care nationally and the accused did not meet admission criteria, which “clearly state that criminal matters must be dealt with first”. He said the youth needed to be in a place to address his underlying problems of behaviour and addiction.
Mr McCarthy argued that his client was being prevented from getting needed care because of the impending charges.
Judge O’Brien refused the bail application and remanded the 17-year-old to St Patrick’s Institute until August 18th.