A 13-year-old boy who had been sleeping rough in a Dublin park was told by a High Court judge yesterday that the situation could not continue. He was told his parents were extremely worried about him.
The boy was brought into the court on the direction of Mr Justice Kelly, who made it clear that sleeping rough in a park was dangerous. Where he had been living did not have a good reputation. Several serious assaults had been committed there and people had been found dead in it.
Ordering the teenager to be kept on an interim basis in a residential unit of the Northern Area Health Board, to which he had gone last Wednesday after discussions with his parents and gardai, and after a warrant for his arrest was issued, the judge said he was impressed by the approach of the boy in court.
Earlier the court was told the boy had no criminal convictions and had not been "criminalised" by his experience of running away and living rough.
Mr Justice Kelly warned him if he was to escape an application could be made for his arrest and he would be detained in a place for offenders. He authorised the board to have him examined by a doctor and directed that he receive education.
When the boy, who promised to comply with the judge's orders, asked if he could go on walks with health board personnel, Mr Justice Kelly said he would permit such excursions but it was for the personnel involved to decide when and how these took place.
The judge said any orders he might make were not to be seen by the boy as punishment but were intended for his benefit.
The court heard that the board personnel and the parents will meet next week to consider the boy's long-term care and needs.
The judge adjourned the case until this day week.