Judge directs that social farming course be funded to support Limerick orphan

Referring to the Social Farming Ireland course, Judge Catherine Ryan said 'perhaps we should all do it'

Published 2nd May 2026, 19:56 BST Referring to the Social Farming Ireland course, Judge Catherine Ryan said 'perhaps we should all do it' Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

AN ORPHAN with a number of previous convictions has become a “completely different young man”, Limerick Children’s Court has heard.

The child was in court for damaging a car at Store Street car park, Limerick city in 2023.

The boy, 16, who cannot be named as he’s a juvenile, has eight previous convictions - including intimidation of a witness, possession of a knife, and theft and public order offences.

Solicitor Tom Kiely said the boy was “tragically an orphan since he was a young child”. The solicitor explained that when the child was living with his aunt the relationship became strained and he was left without supervision.

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The aunt surrendered the boy to a detention facility, and upon his release, he was taken care of by another relative.

Mr Kiely said “he was left to his own devices” at the time, but now he’s “a completely different young man”. The solicitor detailed “he’s gone from strength to strength” and hasn’t come to garda attention since.

The court heard the young man is supported by a number of services - and is benefitting from participation at a Social Farming Ireland course.

A probation officer stated there has been “a great improvement in recent months” from the boy.

Referring to the Social Farming Ireland course, Judge Catherine Ryan said “perhaps we should all do it”.

Judge Ryan heard from the probation officer that the continuation of the Social Farming course is dependent on funding - which may not be renewed.

The judge asked “can the court do anything to say funding should be provided for this?”, to which the probation officer replied they can. The judge directed that the boy attend the course for the next 18 weeks and be of good behaviour.

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