High Court asked to rule on mentally ill boy’s treatment

The High Court is being asked to grant an order placing a 17-year-old boy with mental health issues in a specialist unit in Britain, against his wishes.

The teenager has made attempts on his life and was described by Professor Harry Kennedy, clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital as being at “high, imminent risk of serious harm” and “possibly death”. He said there was no viable placement for the boy in Ireland.