A 15-YEAR-OLD girl apparently abandoned by her parents, who went to England two years ago leaving her to fend for herself, was remanded in custody yesterday.
Judge Aingeal Ní Chondúin said at the Dublin Children’s Court she was shocked at hearing about the teenager’s situation. She added that she was going to “lean” on the Health Service Executive to provide assistance to the girl, who has been relying on emergency shelter accommodation since she was 13.
“I hate to see someone like you out on the streets . . . I find it really upsetting . . . My inclination is to remand in custody,” she told the young girl. “It is shocking . . . I don’t know what you have been through, I can only imagine.”
The teenager was brought before the court yesterday following her arrest. Following the procedures to obtain an emergency-accommodation bed, she had gone to Store Street Garda station to find out which hostel could take her. She was under the influence of an intoxicant and was arrested there for breach of the peace and assault on a garda.
The girl’s solicitor Gareth Noble told the judge that he had contacted the HSE and said, “they are not sure whether she is in formal care or any type of care”. He was told the HSE would attempt to clarify if the girl had a social worker. He said it may be a case that could be brought before the childcare courts to have a guardian appointed; however, that route could not be taken until it was known whether or not the girl was involved with social services.
“The question remains what to do until then,” he said, adding that the girl was seeking bail and hoping to continue using the emergency hostel accommodation.
The judge said that although she did not want to remand the girl in custody, she was not going to grant bail. Prosecuting Garda Stephen Emmett told the judge that he did not believe the girl would come back to court on the next date if she was granted bail.
Remanding the girl in custody, the judge said she was directing the HSE representatives to attend the case.
Solicitor for the HSE Conor Fottrell told the judge that efforts would be made to have the duty social work team present for the case.