Man faces trial over false imprisonment of child with Down syndrome

A man is facing trial after a six-year-old with Down syndrome became separated from his family in the heart of a Dublin shopping district.

Father-of-two David Ryan with an address at Foxdene Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin, but who was described yesterday as being of no fixed abode was refused bail. He was charged with false imprisonment of the boy at Liffey St on Thursday. The child, who is unable to communicate, was found when a security guard noticed he was alone.

Garda Elaine Holmes told Judge William Hamill at Dublin District Court that the accused made no reply when he was charged at Store St Garda Station at 5.30pm on Thursday.

Garda Holmes objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence. She said it was alleged Mr Ryan “took a child who was in a buggy, he pushed him across the road and took food from his hand and ate it”.

The court heard it was alleged Mr Ryan then searched the buggy and “left the child on the street”.

Garda Holmes said the child “has no speech” and “could not communicate with a security guard who took responsibility” for him.

Judge Hamill was told that Mr Ryan was “erratic and unpredictable” when he was arrested.

Donal Patterson BL, defending, said his client has two children, the youngest of which is just three weeks old. Mr Ryan is on social welfare and gets €186 a week and pays €80 in maintenance to the mother of his children.

Judge Hamill remanded the accused in custody while a book of evidence is being prepared. He faces his next hearing at Cloverhill District Court next Friday and Judge Hamill also directed that he must receive medical attention if it is required.