A vulnerable and out-of-control girl who was allegedly brutally raped and forced to take drugs by an older man is now pregnant, the High Court heard yesterday.
Mr Justice Kelly heard the 16-year-old girl had gone missing for periods of 24 to 48 hours in recent months and had returned home with bruising on her hands, face and legs.
On January 14th she turned up filthy, with her hands and neck covered in black-and-blue marks, and told a social worker the older man with whom she was associating had been raping her, assaulting her and forcing tablets down her throat.
The girl made a statement to gardaí and a criminal investigation is under way into her allegations.
The girl's mother had contacted the Southern Health Board, expressing concern for her daughter on many occasions, and a number of placements had been organised for her. However, these broke down. A pregnancy test earlier this week confirmed she was pregnant.
A social worker told the court the girl had said she was no longer in contact with the man. However, last month a note from her said she intended to marry the man and live with him. The note also stated: ". . . up drugs, up ecstasy, up sex. . ."
The girl's mother, who was present for yesterday's hearing, wept as these matters were outlined to the judge.
Her father, who has been separated from her mother for several years, also attended court. Both parents supported an application by the SHB for the girl to be detained in a secure therapeutic unit.
After considering documents in the case and hearing evidence, Mr Justice Kelly made an order for the girl's detention in the secure unit. He also granted injunctions restraining a named man, who was described as well known to the gardaí in his town, from making contact with the girl. A further order also restrains the girl from making contact with him.
The judge said the girl appeared to be engaged in a relationship of extreme violence and brutality with the man.
Earlier, Ms Teresa Blake, for the SHB, said the girl was one of five children. Her parents had separated some years ago. She had been assessed as having mild learning difficulties and also exhibiting sexualised behaviour.
Her disruptive behaviour had led to her having to leave school and she displayed such levels of violence at home that her mother was afraid of her.
On one occasion, the girl's five-year-old younger sister had gone alone to a nearby women's refuge to seek help.
From September 2001, her behaviour had significantly deteriorated. It was now recommended she be placed in a secure therapeutic unit and there was a bed available there for her.
