High Court ‘can do no more’ for 17-year-old boy refusing cancer treatment

Mr Justice Peter Kelly, president of the High Court, also refused a request from the boy’s mother to force him to be treated for cancer, which the boy insists he does not have.

The HSE had made a ward of court application earlier this year with regards to the boy in order to facilitate his treatment. However, lawyers for the HSE said he had failed to attend chemotherapy appointments and he refused treatment at an appointment which he did attend.

Lawyers for the Office of the General Solicitor for Minors and Wards of Court told the court it had concerns about the boy’s drug use and his threat to sue the HSE for misdiagnosis.

Mr Justice Kelly voiced concern that the boy had “almost a death wish”, but said he was almost 18, had been clearly told why the treatment was necessary, and would still “not co-operate”.

The judge said he could make no useful order and discharged the wardship protection order granted earlier this year.