A brain-injured man awaiting sentence since 1999 on larceny charges has been remanded to the care of his family until next May after a further failure by the State to provide suitable care.
Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court made the decision after hearing the case four times in two weeks and after as many failed attempts to find him alternative care.
Judge O'Donnell, who had expressed great reluctance to send him to prison, said he did not wish to continue the "circus" of bringing him to court every week to see if a suitable institution had been found. He agreed to a request by Ms Aileen Donnelly, defending, to schedule a hearing for December 11th to monitor the situation.
The 28-year-old Dublin man, who sustained the injuries after an accident in 1997, is considered to be a potential threat to himself and society. His behaviour has been described as "frighteningly violent".
Judge O'Donnell commended the media for "the responsible manner" in which the case had been covered after telling Ms Donnelly he had "very limited powers in relation to gagging the media". Ms Donnelly had requested on behalf of her client and his family that his name should not be published.
The judge had expressed disappointment that the man was kept in prison last weekend after he was remanded in custody with the recommendation that he be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital expeditiously. Last Friday, representatives from the Western Area Health Board assured him that a bed would be available if the man was to be sent to prison.