Girls, 16, told by parents to gang up on elderly people

A DISTRICT Court judge wants to know why the parents of two 16-year-old girls left them penniless on the streets with instructions to “gang up on old people” to get money.

Detective Garda John McDonagh testified at a juvenile session of Cork District Court yesterday there was a problem in the Turner’s Cross area of Cork city where gangs of girls were surrounding elderly people and trying to get money from them.

The detective said two elderly women who made complaints about this stated that they were not in fear, but were very annoyed by what happened.

The two teenagers – Romanian nationals who have been living in Ireland for several years – pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of failing to leave the scene when instructed on August 8.

Det Garda McDonagh said there were a lot of elderly residents in the area and that gangs of girls were going up to such people, surrounding them, telling them they were collecting for a deaf charity and looking for money.

Dennis Healy, defence solicitor, said the two girls in court had no money on the day and needed to get the bus home. He said they probably did not understand the implications of not leaving the area when directed, the charge to which they both pleaded guilty.

Judge Con O’Leary put sentencing back for two months for probation reports.

“I am concerned regarding parental supervision being inadequate where these juveniles are left penniless on the streets by their parents and also concerned about instructions they receive at home that includes advice that if they are in difficulty they should gang up on old people and tell them lies to get money. It sounds very close to mugging.”

Because of where the incidents occurred, the teenagers were remanded on bail on condition that they would not go to any place within one kilometre of Turner’s Cross church.