The parents of a troubled teenager are “prisoners in their own home” because of his violent and out-of-control behaviour.
The Galway District Court heard this week that a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been charged with assaulting two members of his own family on three consecutive dates in June 2007 and again on two dates in January 2009.
According to Garda evidence, there had been complaints of assault as well as intimidation and gardai were only able to get a statement from his parents when the defendant was not in the house. When charged with the two latest assaults the defendant replied: “I do not remember any of this.”
Inspector Pat McHugh told the court last Monday that the defendant has shown “disturbing behaviour towards his siblings”. Regarding the boy’s parents he added that “these people are prisoners in their own home” and are “living in fear”.
A representative from the Probation Services told Judge Mary Fahy that the defendant has not been complying with the conditions of his probation bond. She said that the defendant was “not taking responsibility for his behaviour”, and that there had been particular concern over Christmas because of what was going on in the house.
Judge Fahy then heard how the defendant has been on remand at St Patrick’s Institute but there was the possibility of a placement at the residential unit Rath Na nOg in Monaghan. However, he had failed to return after a weekend visit home to Galway when placed there previously.
Judge Fahy adjourned the case to yesterday’s sitting to see if a placement could be found for him. When the case resumed, the director of the facility Michael Carville said that they would be very prepared to take the teenager back and that their commitment to helping him was long-term. He added that it was now important to look at what education options were open to the boy.
Judge Fahy advised the defendant that not all young offenders get this opportunity to receive such help and that he should grasp it. She then remanded him on his own bail bond of €300 to February 19 for the preparation of a report. Conditions of bail included that he be of good behaviour, obey all the rules and regulations, and engage with the professionals in the programme.
