About 70% of young-offenders in Oberstown had substance misuse problems.
An increasing number of children are being sent to the state's detention centre for very serious offences, including causing death.
They're being detained on longer sentences, according to a new annual report for 2020.
Eoghan Murphy reports:
Last year about 70 per cent of young-offenders in Oberstown in Lusk, Co Dublin, had substance misuse problems.
Former governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, says the rise in serious offences is concerning
.

€1.2m Approved For Zipline And High Ropes Adventure Centre At Donadea
Christmas Appeal To Adopt Dogs As Euthanasia Figures Rise
Speed Enforcement To Increase In Kildare With 21 New Camera Zones To Be Rolled Out In January
Over 400 Motorists Caught Speeding So Far Today, Including A Driver In Kilcock
Transport Minister In Discussions With Irish Rail About Extending Late-Night Trains Beyond Christmas
Tadhg And Mary Should Be Looking Forward To Christmas, Say Gardai As Fresh Appeal Launched
Bus Shelters Treated As Luxury Rather Than Standard, With 500 Kildare Bus Stops In Need Of Upgrades
Recruitment Announcements Don’t Add Up As Garda Numbers Stagnant In Kildare South, Says Local TD