There is no secure place available for a very disturbed 12year-old boy, the High Court was told yesterday. The boy, who effectively has no family support and suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, has a history of firesetting and inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Mr Justice Kelly said he had no option but to continue the boy's detention in an inappropriate centre, from which the child has absconded several times. It is unlikely a secure place at Ballydowd special care unit will be available for many months or longer.
The boy and his two younger half-brothers have been in care for five years. The boys' mother, who has been described as having considerable problems of her own, went abroad last October and has not returned.
The boy first exhibited disturbed behaviour while at primary school. He was lighting fires, trying to burn cars and breaking windows. His natural father's identity is unknown, and when his mother left his stepfather, who is an alcoholic and by whom she had two sons, in 1996, she and her three children became homeless.
They moved from hostel to hostel for a time. The mother's health broke down, and she suffered from depression. The court was told all three boys missed their mother, who failed to visit them regularly or to keep appointments to visit them.
The mother was later rehoused and began to visit the boys regularly. The children were returned to her, but the older boy's behaviour deteriorated. After an incident when the mother left the boys with a neighbour, they were again placed in care. They all made good progress and had visits from their mother.
The older boy was due to move to another centre early last year, but no appropriate place was available. His behaviour then deteriorated.
Mr Justice Kelly said he would review the case on February 19th.