Judge demands explanation on lack of juvenile detention places
A Children’s Court judge has asked for the Irish Youth Justice Service head and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald or a representative to attend court to explain the lack of detention and custodial places for juvenile offenders.
RTÉ News has learned that on at least 18 separate occasions in the last three weeks the court has been unable to detain children charged or convicted of offences because of the lack of detention spaces.
Nine children, some of whom repeatedly breached their bail conditions, could not be remanded in custody.