A 16-year-old in Dublin won court permission to challenge his suspended sentence due to lack of certified youth hostels, citing a breach of his rights under the Children Act 2001.

A 16-year-old in Dublin has won High Court permission to challenge his suspended prison sentence, citing a lack of certified hostels for minors that prevented a judge from imposing a Probation Residential Supervision Order. The boy, charged with theft, burglary, drug offenses, and dangerous driving, faces legal action against the judge, prosecutors, and government officials over the State’s failure to provide required residential facilities. His father argues the absence of such services violated the boy’s rights under the Children Act 2001 and left him without necessary support. The case, which calls the situation a "disgrace," seeks to quash the sentence and compel disclosure of available hostels. The matter is adjourned to November.