A 12 year old boy who absconded from Oberstown House, Co Dublin, to which he Was returned, was ordered to be detained at Newtown House, Co Wicklow, in the High Court yesterday.
The boy, who cannot be named, was described as being very disturbed, having exceptional needs and having a history of absconding. "The Eastern Health Board and the State have exhausted all the options, and the consultant psychiatrist feels it is an appropriate step that the order be given," said Mr Felix McEnroy, counsel for the EHB.
He said that the boy's mother and the Department of Health also agreed with such an order, which was needed until the forthcoming legislation, allowing for the detention of such children, was enacted.
