14-year-old charged over machete threat at junior school

A 14-year-old boy yesterday appeared in court charged with producing a machete during the course of an alleged violent disturbance at a Co Clare junior school earlier this year.

At Ennis District Court, the boy — aged 13 at the time of the alleged offences — was charged in connection with the disturbance on Mar 20. A co-accused, in his 20s, has also appeared in court charged with violent disorder and producing a slash-hook at the school on the same date.

The alleged incident took place as parents were collecting their young children from the school at lunchtime. The school educates junior and senior inf-ants along with first-class pupils.

The boy — who cannot be named for legal reasons — was accompanied by his mother to court. Judge Patrick Durcan heard the case in a small room where young people’s cases are heard.

Garda Irene O’Flynn said she served a book of evidence yesterday on solicitor Daragh Hassett who represents the boy.

Insp Tom Kennedy told Judge Durcan the DPP had directed the matter go forward for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.

Judge Durcan told the boy’s mother that if an alibi formed any part of her son’s defence, evidence of the alibi must be provided to the State.

In the case, the boy is charged with committing violent disorder in that he, with two or more persons, used or threatened to use unlawful violence and such conduct would cause a person to fear for his or her safety.

The teenager is also accused of “appearing to be about to commit an offence” and, in the course of a dispute, produce an article capable of inflicting serious injury — a machete.

Legal aid was granted to the boy and the second accused and Judge Durcan certified for a junior counsel represent each of the two at Ennis Circuit Court.

The judge returned the pair on bail for trial to Ennis Circuit Court on Feb 12.