Lawyers acting for the boy say he was named due to a legal loophole brought around because Stormont has failed to give the commencement order for Section 44 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

Ronan Lavery QC, acting for the boy, told the High Court in Belfast that it was irrational to deny the boy the same protection given to minors once they are charged with an offence.

The boy was reportedly arrested, interviewed and released on bail.

Mr Lavery said it was “almost impossible” for the boy and his family to have his name removed from the websites of US-based publications without taking civil proceedings against publishers.

However, Mr Justice Paul Maguire rejected a bid to have the legal action categorised as urgent.

Mr Justice Maguire said he would not be “rushed into making a decision in a case which has such a high policy content”.

The challenge has been adjourned for two weeks to allow the Department to consider the relevant issues.