A 12-YEAR-OLD girl from Limerick city, who pleaded guilty to stealing two vehicles and to dangerous driving, is to be detained in Oberstown Girls School in Dublin for three months.
Judge Tom O'Donnell yesterday described the case "as one of the most difficult situations I have ever been faced with", and requested that an application for a special care order be made to the High Court as a matter of urgency.
The HSE and the Probation Services had agreed that the girl needed "greater structure in her life" which they felt could not be provided at her family home.
The girl, who has been detained since September 30th, admitted stealing a vehicle on September 15th and 28th, to dangerous driving on September 15th, and to possessing a hammer in a store on William Street on September 29th.
Other charges, including public order, non-fatal assault and failing to provide insurance or a driving licence, were considered.
During a children's sitting at the Limerick District Court, Judge O'Donnell said he faced moral and legal dilemmas in the case and recognised that both the girl's grandmother and mother were extremely upset, "but this young lady has gotten herself into awful trouble. She needs structure and proper structure."
Solicitor John Devane told the court that the girl had now realised "that being on the wrong side of the law is not helpful to her".
"She's somebody who has learnt her lesson and doesn't want to spend her life going in and out of various institutions."
Judge O'Donnell asked the HSE and Probation Services last week to come up with a solution to this girl's case and both bodies have agreed that applying for a special care order would be the most appropriate route, even though it would be "a lengthy process."