Case No. 3068Child welfare (care order) · Co. Dublin
Teen in Tusla care made fake sawn-off shotgun and frightened staff, Family Law Court hears
A 14-year-old boy in Tusla care assembled a fake sawn-off shotgun from a shoe rack and hanger, covered it in a towel, and told staff he had a gun. At the Family Law Court, the Guardian ad Litem described the incident and the boy's behaviour, and Judge Adrian Harris extended the Interim Care Order to 22 May 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court16 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe boy is 14 years old and in Tusla care (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe boy made a fake sawn-off shotgun from a shoe rack and a hanger (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe covered the fake gun in a towel and went downstairs to tell staff he had a gun (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe hearing took place at the Family Law Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtTusla secured an emergency care order the previous month (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Adrian Harris extended the Interim Care Order to 22 May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe boy had been going from hotel placement to hotel placement (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe boy has been placed in a Special Care Arrangement since last Friday (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe teenager was initially a social admission to a university hospital after fuel protests prevented gardaí from transferring him to a hotel placement in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe teenager is not currently in a secure unit and can leave when he wants (irishtimes.com)
- otherJudge Harris described the situation as very untenable and potentially dangerous for the child (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 16 May2026Teen in Tusla care put together fake ‘sawn-off shotgun’ and frightened staff, court hears
Family Law Court hearing in which the Guardian ad Litem described the 14-year-old's fake gun incident and his behaviour at his new Special Care Arrangement placement. Judge Adrian Harris extended the Interim Care Order to 22 May 2026 and urged Tusla to act with extreme urgency.
victim, 14, male