An investigation is under way into a "series of incidents" involving a troubled 15-year-old girl, who is a victim of sexual abuse and is in the care of a health board.
The girl's case was before the High Court yesterday when Ms Teresa Blake, for the board, said she had been making good progress at the unit which was reported to the court on January 22nd last.
However, counsel said there was "a series of incidents" from the end of January last to February 3rd which caused "serious concerns". "Appropriate steps" had been taken in relation to the incidents, which were being investigated and would be dealt with by the appropriate agencies. The board intended the progress the girl made prior to these incidents would be sustained.
Counsel handed in confidential reports to Mr Justice Kearns detailing the incidents. They were not opened in court.
Mr John O'Donnell, for the State, said serious matters were involved and these had been the subject of media attention. He said the case had previously been adjourned to July but he believed the board should report back to the court before then. He asked that the case be listed for April 2nd and Mr Justice Kearns adjourned the matter to that date.
Just weeks ago, Mr Justice Kelly was told the girl had settled at the residential unit and was attending school, seeing her family regularly, and doing very well. He praised the "extraordinary turnaround".
The girl was returned to the residential unit last year after spending several months in an adult psychiatric unit where she was sent because there was no appropriate secure facility available. She almost died following an overdose. She suffers from post traumatic stress disorder attributed to her being exposed in the past to sexual abuse.