High Court Judge Criticizes Security Guards in Tusla Special Care Unit Amid Staffing Crisis

A High Court judge, John Jordan, stated that children in Tusla's care units are not in «prisons for criminals» and security guards should not be deployed due to staffing issues. This follows a significant drop in staff at Crannóg Nua special care unit in north Co Dublin, where an «unexpected» number of workers took stress-related leave. One young person's assaultive behavior resulted in three special care workers sustaining injuries, including a broken arm.

Tusla's barrister, Paul Gunning, reported that more staff went on sick leave over the weekend. The agency has called in staff from elsewhere, identified one new member, and is training eight others, which will bring the staff-to-child ratio to 6:1, nearing the minimum acceptable 7:1. Only 15 of 26 special care beds are open due to recruitment challenges. Gunning claimed security guards were brought into Crannóg Nua to protect staff from the 15-year-old's behavior, unrelated to staffing levels.

However, Alan Brady, barrister for the child's advocate, argued that security guard deployment was «counterproductive» and linked to staffing ratios, which had fallen to 3:1. Judge Jordan noted the persistent staffing problem in special care units, which operate at half capacity, and questioned the disconnect between security deployment and ongoing staffing issues. He emphasized that special care is a therapeutic environment, not a prison, and adequate trained staff should negate the need for security. He requested a staffing update by next week.

Judge Jordan extended the detention order for the child, who has been in Tusla's care since birth, citing a «huge array of difficulties,» including alcohol abuse since age 11, fighting since 12, child sexual exploitation, assaults, theft, and property damage.