A troubled 14-year-old boy who set fire to a room with children in it has left Ireland to begin a placement in a special care unit on a Swedish island.
The Dublin teenager, who is facing charges for travelling in a stolen car, assault and a breach of the peace, had been held in custody in Oberstown Boys' Centre, a detention centre for young offenders, because there was no suitable home care environment in Ireland in which he could be placed.
He was released from custody by the Dublin Children's Court yesterday to take up his place in the Hassela Gotland centre for problem young people, on an island in the Baltic Sea.
The court had heard that since he was aged six, he had spent years in various care units, had suffered a mental breakdown, had been on numerous medications and in one incident had set fire to a room in which there were other children.
His mother could not manage him due to his problems and there were also fears for his safety in the community if he was released, the court had heard.
Judge Timothy Lucey released the youth to allow him to get a 6pm flight to Sweden.
He was told that the period the teenager, who was not in court, would spend in the Swedish unit was not yet established and was currently set down for an "indefinite" period and that he was agreeable to the placement and his parents were pleased with the plan, which was proposed by the Health Service Executive.
Judge Lucey was told he would be accompanied on the journey by two members of staff from the Swedish centre.
He is to return early next year for a trial.
