A Garda has told a court that a 15 year year old boy currently in State care has told him that he will commit further offences because he is bored.
At the Children’s Court in Ennis, Garda Cathal O’Gorman said that Gardai were objecting to bail for the teen as his current TUSLA placement at a house in Ennis “is not a place of safety” for the teenager.
Garda O’Gorman said that Gardai have been chasing the 15 year old around the streets of Ennis in recent nights as there is no control on the teen leaving his care home in the town.
The teenager is facing three charges of criminal damage of cars at locations in Enns and having in his possession a shard of glass at O’Connell Street, Ennis on January 21st and at Francis Street, Ennis on January 18th.
Garda O’Gorman said: “We have come across him in dangerous circumstances. On two occasions in the last two early mornings we had to go searching for him and found him soaking wet and freezing cold.”
The Garda said that the teen “shouldn’t be leaving this address and I don’t think this is a place for safety”.
He said: “I have raised these concerns with TUSLA and I still don’t believe that it is a place of safety. He is going to keep leaving without any controls in place to stop him. They have no control.”
Garda O’Gorman said: “He has told me that he will commit more offences because he is bored.”
Garda O’Gorman said that on two occasions “we have found him down the town and contacted the staff and they weren’t aware that he was missing”.
Garda O’Gorman said on evening this week, he came across the teen shortly after 7.15pm in Ennis town centre and phoned the care home without success.
Garda O’Gorman said that when he arrived at the care home he observed a staff member in the front room watching TV. He said: “I don’t think it is a suitable place for this year.”
A social worker for TUSLA told the court that the boy was subject to an Emergency Care Order on December 21st and has been in the care of TUSLA since.
The teen, represented by solicitor, Daragh Hassett got into the witness box and he gave a sworn undertaking that he would abide by a 6pm curfew at the residential home.
The teenager also stated that he would not commit further offences. Mr Hassett told the court that his client is facing “serious charges” including the possession of the shard of glass “which was for his own protection”.
Judge Adrian Harris told the teen that “this is last chance saloon”. Mr Hassett told the teen that if there is any breach of bail conditions, it is likely that he would be detained at Oberstown in Dublin.
The social worker for TUSLA said that staff have been provided with updated training to improve the management of the boy. She said that two staff are on at all times at the residential unit.
Judge Harris told the accused that it was on the basis of his assurances to court that he was getting bail.
Judge Harris also stated that the staff at the home be extra vigilant and alert Garda immediately if the boy leaves the home. Judge Harris remanded the teen on bail to appear before court next month.
