Three juveniles who flouted bail or probation conditions had their charges dropped yesterday after a court was told no remand places were available. The Juvenile Court heard that nearly half the remand places at the Oberstown Centre Female Section were taken up by girls placed in therapeutic care by the High Court.
Judge John McDonnell had requested a place for a 15-year-old girl who had breached probation.
He requested a remand in custody after quoting from a report which said the girl had returned home one morning with a suspected broken nose and that "her risks and dangers are immense".
However, the judge was told that three of the eight remand places at Oberstown were taken by girls placed by the High Court on the basis that there was a danger to their "life or health", and a fourth was expected next week.
When Judge McDonnell was told there was no indication of when places would become available he said the wishes of the court were being frustrated by a situation which was very worrying.
However, it was the constitutional duty of the Government to provide enough places, and the courts could only carry out their duty.
He made no order on the charge of causing criminal damage to a house in Ballymun last December, which the girl had admitted, and she was released without sentence.
Judge McDonnell also made no order in the case of two 15-yearold boys who were arrested yesterday in Clondalkin for being in a stolen car.
Judge McDonnell sought remand places for both defendants after they refused to sign bail bonds which would require them to keep a 10 p.m. curfew.
However, the judge was told no place was available in any of the State's three juvenile detention centres, and he effectively dropped the case by making no order.