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	A staff member at Oberstown Boys Centre for young offenders has been viciously attacked in one of the &ldquo;worst assaults ever encountered&rdquo; at the facility.</p>
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	The attacker, a resident at the unit, was allegedly under the influence of an unknown substance at the time.</p>
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	Well-placed sources have said the youth was &ldquo;clearly under the influence of a substance&rdquo; when returning from a court appearance.</p>
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	He was placed under close observation over night and staff suspected that he had drugs concealed on his person.</p>
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	The following day at 8:30am, while under observation, he collapsed after a suspected overdose.</p>
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	An ambulance was called as staff administered first aid.</p>
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	While in the recovery position the teen regained consciousness and attacked the staff members at the scene.</p>
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	Sources said the adolescent unleashed a &ldquo;barrage of punches,&rdquo; injuring one member before he was restrained.</p>
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	&ldquo;When the ambulance arrived, he was so out of control that it was decided it was not safe enough to place him in it,&rdquo; said a source.</p>
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	&ldquo;The ambulance was then used to take the injured staff member to Beaumont. The staff member was later discharged from hospital with extensive bruising,&rdquo; they added.</p>
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	The shocking incident unfolded shortly after 6pm on December 1.</p>
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	Experienced staff who were at the scene said it was one of the most violent assaults they have ever encountered.</p>
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	An official from Oberstown Children Detention Campus said they could not comment on the incident.</p>
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	&ldquo;Oberstown Children Detention is not in a position to comment on individual cases. The young people in its care are under 18 years of age and individual information cannot be disclosed,&rdquo; a spokeswoman said.</p>
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	Another worker has said incidents of violence against staff and are contributing to &ldquo;large staff turnover rates.&rdquo;</p>
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	Earlier this year staff were hospitalised after a young resident went on a rampage with a broken cup.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/staff-member-at-childrens-detention-centre-badly-beaten-by-teen-34259606.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/staff-member-at-childrens-detention-centre-badly-beaten-by-teen-34259606.html</a></p>
