Vol. 445 No. 8
68 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the disturbances at Trinity House, Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin, on Wednesday 28 September 1994; and, the action, if any she has taken to improve security in this centre. [549/94]
The incident in question took place on the evening of 21 September, 1994 and involved three boys detained at the centre.
The boys in question had been engaging in disruptive behaviour throughout the day and as a result had been directed to go to their bedrooms at 8 p.m. The incident began while the boys were using the toilet facilities prior to retiring. During this period, the boys were under the supervison of two care staff.
In what appears to have been a pre-planned action, the three boys gathered in one of the bedrooms and when staff attempted to remove them, one of the boys produced a piece of metal with which he threatened staff.
A period of stand-off ensued, during which staff of the centre, including the centre's psychologist, attempted to persuade the boys to abandon their action. These efforts resulted in one boy abandoning his action. The remaining two boys proceeded to damage sink units and windows in the unit. In the meantime, the centre had called for the assistance of the Garda. Following the arrival of the gardaí, the remaining two boys were eventually restrained and having been thoroughly searched, were confined to their bedrooms.
Arising from this incident, a thorough review of security arrangements was undertaken by the centre and corrective action was taken where necessary.
It will be appreciated that the nature of young offender centres is such that difficulties of the type described will inevitably arise from time to time. However, I can assure the House that every effort is made to avoid such situations and to deal with them in an effective manner where they do arise. The fact that no serious injury resulted from this incident and that only minor damage was caused, is a tribute to the professionalism of the staff in the centre and to the gardaí who came to their assistance and I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all concerned.
