The director of a State detention centre yesterday disputed a claim that it carries out strip searching of inmates, who include disturbed children.
The claim was made in the High Court earlier this month by the family of a disturbed 13-year-old boy who had been placed in the centre because there was no suitable alternative.
Mr Michael O'Connor, director of Oberstown Boys' Centre in Lusk, Co Dublin, said yesterday that every boy admitted to the centre, when returning from home leave or after absconding, would have a change of clothing and a search. A boy would never be required to be completely naked and two staff members had always to be present. He said they did not approve of strip searching.
Mr O'Connor was giving evidence during an application to sanction a programme which would permit the phased return of the boy from Oberstown to a high-support centre.
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied that the search of the child had been carried out in as sensitive a manner as possible.
He said the boy had resided at a high-support centre until matters became untenable because he was absconding and he was literally out of control. An order was made for his detention in Oberstown.
Staff in the support unit were prepared to have the boy return. In the circumstances, the judge said he would sanction a programme permitting a phased return. He adjourned the matter until July 10th.