A 14-year-old boy who is alleged to be a danger to himself and his family will have to spend the next four nights in a Garda cell because the State has no appropriate place to house him.
Mr Justice Butler, who adjourned proceedings until next Wednesday, said in the High Court yesterday he had been forced to opt for the least of three evils: put the boy in jail, return him to his parents, who were unable to control him, or leave him in Garda custody. Leave was granted to seek by way of judicial review an order directing the health board to provide an appropriate secure place for the boy.
The boy faces a charge of attempted assault with a knife on his mother. His father said they had been asking the health board for two years to provide a place, "but to no avail."
