Boy’s care order extended as court hears of alleged assaults on Tusla staff

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

An interim care order for a teenage boy has been extended after the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) told the court that his car privileges had recently been revoked following three alleged assaults on staff at his current accommodation.

Representatives for Tusla appeared before an in-camera family law sitting of Bray District Court seeking an extension of the interim care order.

A Tusla social worker testified that a report handed into the court was true and accurate, before providing an update on the youth’s progress. The court heard that the boy was involved in an incident in a car last week and had to be restrained by security staff.

As a result, his car privileges were revoked and he now has two security staff assigned on a full-time basis.

The court was also told that in December it is alleged that the boy kicked a staff member in the back of the head while she was driving a car.

The social worker noted that Tusla has lost 12 staff members due to the child’s “assaultive and abusive language”.

At a previous sitting, the court heard that the boy has anger issues, but has an excellent relationship with his guardian, based on their shared interests. On a previous occasion, the court also heard that the guardian believes the boy is not being encouraged by Tusla.

A formal diagnosis for the boy’s ongoing medical issues remains outstanding, with the court hearing in early January that an application has been made to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), a specialist service for people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties.

Counsel for the child’s mother, Conor Rubalcava, said the guardian ad litem’s report stated that “the practice of restraining the child should stop immediately”.

During access visits with his mother, two therapists are present to assist and support the pair, the court heard.

Mr Rubalcava remarked that the child has previously said he finds it “quite strange” that therapists sit in on the visits.

The boy’s father has an application for custody before the court, with his counsel, Niamh Foley BL, seeking an update on the boy’s progress.

Addressing Judge David Kennedy, the boy’s mother said: “I miss going to the cinema and getting food and the normal things with him.” She added: “I’m the only person in the world he trusts. I’m his carer and I’m his mother.”

However, she told the court that the boy does not attend school, has “no friends” and “no phone”, adding: “How do you expect him to act?”

Judge Kennedy said that, unfortunately, “the experts think differently”, describing the situation as “a great shame”, before extending the interim care order until early March 2026.