A JUDGE has questioned the state's ability to care for children after a juvenile was found to be out all night and abandoned in court when his HSE escorts went to lunch.

Speaking at a recent sitting of Drogheda District Court, Judge William Hamill said he would have to take into account such conditions when he is next asked to place a youth in the care of health services.

He then ordered HSE executives to attend the following hearing to explain if the youth's situation was "as bad as it sounds".

Hamill's concerns over the reliability of the defendant's care come at an awkward time for the HSE, which has been the recent focus of concerns relating to the number of children who have died in its care.

The youth in question, who cannot be identified, was charged with causing €500 worth of damage to a car during an incident at 6am last March.

It is understood that while the matter at hand was re-addressed at a subsequent sitting of Drogheda District Court, Hamill dealt with it in private chambers.

Criticising staff over the case previously, he said: "The child is free to do as he likes and all that happens, if he breaches the rules, is that he is listed as a missing person.

"I will have to take that into account the next time I am asked to put a child into the care of the HSE."

He also scolded the youth's escorts who, at a previous appearance, left the teenager in the court while they went to lunch.

Hamill commented that courts were "very dangerous places" and that young people could be influenced to pass things.

The HSE said it was not in a position to comment on an individual case but said representatives had attended the court hearings to address the concerns.

In a statement, it said: "It is normal practice in the HSE that all minors in the care of the HSE would be accompanied to court by an appropriate adult and to remain with them throughout all court proceedings.

"The HSE can confirm that personnel attended the sitting of the District Court on 21 May as requested by Judge Hamill.

"The judge subsequently thanked the HSE personnel for their attendance and their assistance with the matter in hand."