A THREE month baby boy is to remain in foster care for a further six months after a judge granted an application by Tusla, the child and family agency, to extend an emergency care order.
The order was made after the court was told there was a serious risk to the child’s safety and wellbeing.
The young infant was initially placed in the care of the State after Tusla applied for an emergency seven day care order, which was further extended to 28 days, when they told the court of the difficulties surrounding the child’s background.
The court was told that the infant’s mother was found intoxicated at the scene of disturbance in a County Limerick housing estate.
The baby was taken to University Hospital Limerick after his mother was arrested and detained at a County Limerick Garda Station where she slept for the night before being released shortly after 7am.
She later appeared in court objecting to Tulsa being granted temporary care of her son.
Senior social worker, Una Kissane said she believed the mother was a chronic alcoholic and had attended hospital with “serious raised levels of alcohol” while seven months pregnant.
The woman claimed that she was capable of caring for her son who was “thriving”. She accepted she needed help but could manage with the support of her family.
However, the order was extended to six months after the judge was told there was no change in the woman’s circumstances.
