Judge John Neilan has questioned what became of the file of a young man who attended St Loman’s hospital with his father.
The teenager, who faces a charge of breaching a safety order taken out for the benefit of his family, had a recollection of attending the hospital but a report before the court suggested that there was no background file.
It indicated that he had first been seen there in February of this year, but Judge Neilan said he had been there before and the youth’s solicitor indicated that his client recalled being there.
“What happened to it? That would have noted his attendance,” asked the judge, who also said the youth had “left [the hospital] in the same vein as he arrived”.
He said the court “has a concern” when it tried to tally information given at a previous sitting by the HSE’s solicitor that the youth had “normal intelligence”.
The teenager had “very abnormal behaviour”.
Judge Neilan advised the young man that he has to “follow the wisdom of the HSE” and that he cannot continue to take things that do not belong to him.
“You have nothing to fear from the court,” he advised, but added that the youth had to take responsibility for himself.
He also advised that he take his medicines as prescribed.
When he was satisfied the boy’s father had no concerns, he adjourned the case to June 3 “to see that you’re making progress”.
“The court is here to help,” said the judge, noting that “there have been a few problems”.
