Special care orders upheld for child in need of protective detention despite lack of immediate placement

The Court of Appeal dismisses appeals concerning the validity of two special care orders and the refusal to discharge an earlier order for a 16-year-old child under the care of the Child and Family Agency (CFA). The original decisions by the High Court were upheld, affirming the necessity of special care for the child, who presented a substantial risk of harm to himself. Despite the absence of an immediate special care placement and the child's opposition to returning to Ireland from the UK, the court found that the orders were in the child's best interests. The Court of Appeal also confirmed that the child lacked standing to apply for the discharge of the special care order and that the High Court acted within its jurisdiction in appointing a guardian ad litem while granting the child rights equivalent to those of a party in the proceedings.