Girl who is ‘a danger to herself and others’, waiting for secure placement

A 13-year-old teenage girl, who is "a danger to herself and others", is waiting for a bed in a secure placement to become available, a High Court judge has heard.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott was told on Thursday that the Child and Family Agency had placed the troubled teenager, who threatened to kill herself, in a secure care unit last year.

Lawyers for the child’s guardian said her behaviour had improved reasonably well and she was transferred to a stepdown unit. She had then reverted to her old ways and threatened to set the place on fire.

She had been moved to another open unit and her behaviour had worsened. Mr Justice McDermott heard the teenager’s situation had worsened after she was admitted to a hostel and there had been evidence of self-harming to her wrist and elbow. She had allegedly also been taking drugs and smoking cannabis.

The court heard, during a vacation sitting, that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was currently placed in a unit in Co Westmeath where she had assaulted staff and threatened to kill herself.

Lawyers for the agency agreed the teenager should go back to a secure centre but no places were available at the moment. The agency was making every effort to ensure the girl was being kept safe.

Mr Justice McDermott was told the girl’s disruptive behaviour had been exacerbated by the fact she was allegedly given a mobile phone by her father over Christmas.

The agency said the child was under the supervision of a psychologist and a huge amount of staff was available in the unit to supervise her. It was expected her behaviour would stabilise over the coming week and a care plan would be presented to the court next week.

The court heard every effort was being made to get the girl back in a secure care unit but eight other children were on the waiting list.

Mr Justice McDermott said he was satisfied all the parties were acting in the best interest of the teenage girl. He made the matter returnable for mention next week.