A JUDGE expressed “great concern” about a 16-year-old boy, appearing in the Limerick District Court, who had been released from a secure care unit without any apparent follow up from State services.
The boy appeared in court last week without any parent or relative to support him.
The boy, who legally cannot be identified as he is a juvenile, had just recently been released from a secure care facility, Judge Fiona Brennan was told in Limerick District Court.
The teenager appeared in court on criminal charges under detention.
Reading his file, Judge Brennan noted that the 16 year old had been in secure care since November of last year and asked whether there had been any follow up on his release.
The judge was told that the boy had been released into his mother’s care. There was a programme he was supposed to undergo, the court heard, but he “did not engage” with it.
Judge Brennan asked if there was a parent or adult in court with him on the day, and was told there wasn’t.
The judge added that she found it “very concerning and extraordinary” that there was no reference in the probation report on the teenager to any involvement with the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.
Judge Brennan put the matter back to September 9 and specified that the court should be told what the position is with Tusla concerning the boy and for contact to be made with a parent or guardian for him.
