Teenage mugger started drinking when he was 7

A teenage boy whose drinking first caused concerns when he was 7 has been given a five-month sentence over an assault and a mugging in Dublin City centre.

The 16-year-old, who has about 40 convictions, plea-ded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to breach of the peace, being drunk to an extent he was a danger to himself and others, and assaulting a man at Upper O’Connell St on Oct 6.

He also admitted robbery of another male at the Liffey boardwalk, on Sep 9 last. Both incidents happened after he had been released to appeal a six-month sentence handed down in August for a burglary. He later withdrew that appeal.