Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Juvenile Offenders.

Bernard Allen

Question:

542 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the situation where a juvenile in the care of the State at Oberstown House absented himself, travelled through passport control and travelled to Malaga and on his return was detained on 24 February 2002 on suspicion of possession of drugs. [7453/02]

Bernard Allen

Question:

656 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the situation where a juvenile in the care of the State at Oberstown House absented himself, travelled through passport control and travelled to Malaga and, on his return, was detained on 24 February 2002 on suspicion of possession of drugs. [8245/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 656, together.

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. The boy in question was admitted to Oberstown Boys Centre on remand from Clonmel District Court on 12 March 2001. He was sub sequently committed to Oberstown Boys Centre on 16 March 2001 by the Court. Following a further appearance before Cork District Court in September 2001, the boy absconded in Cork from a vehicle of Oberstown Boys Centre. The Garda are responsible for apprehending boys who abscond from the care of a centre in this manner and, accordingly, they were notified immediately.

On Friday 22 February 2002, the Garda re-arrested the boy at Dublin Airport from where he was collected by staff from Oberstown Boys Centre and returned to the centre that evening. It is understood that illegal drugs were uncovered in the boy's luggage at the Airport and the Garda are now investigating the matter.