A voluntary organisation has now made available a house for a child who has never committed any crime, but has been held in a remand centre for more than six months because the State has failed to provide suitable accommodation, the High Court heard yesterday.
But a more appropriate long-term solution to the 15-year-old's care difficulties had to be found, Mr Justice Kelly stressed.
The boy, who suffers from a form of high-functioning autism, is in St Michael's Remand and Assessment Centre in Finglas. But all parties agree that is a most unsuitable place for him, the court heard.
Yesterday the judge was told a voluntary organisation was making available to the Eastern Health Board a house where the boy could be kept in the short term. The interim arrangement will prevail for not more than three months.
The judge also heard the board would provide round-the-clock nursing care and psychiatric personnel for the boy, while the Department of Education would provide a tutor for 15 hours a week.
The boy's transfer to the premises should go ahead within days.
The child suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a type of life-long unusual personality characterised by poor social interactional and obsessional preoccupations.
The judge made the orders after he was told there was nowhere in the State where children with Asperger's Syndrome could be treated. He was also told that psychiatrists agreed the most suitable place for the boy was at the EHB unit at Newtown House, Co Wicklow.
But this was full, and 24 other children were ahead of the boy on the waiting list.
The judge directed that the boy remain at St Michael's but returned the matter to yesterday in order to hear evidence from the State on alternative proposals.
He ordered that when the EHB indicated the premises was ready and the personnel in place, the boy should be released from St Michael's and transferred to the custody of the EHB pending further court order.
He said it was desirable that contact be maintained between the boy and his mother, and the professionals involved should arrange this. The case is listed for review on December 7th.