‘Smirking’ youth ran after hitting car containing kids

A Dublin youth was “smirking and then ran off” after he ploughed into a car carrying two young children, a court was told yesterday.

The Dublin Children’s Court heard the boy and girl, aged 10 and 6, were pulled from the wreckage by their father who was supposed to be celebrating his 40th birthday on the date of the collision with a stolen car.

It is alleged the 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named as he is still a minor, caused more than €40,000 of damages, and he faced a preliminary hearing for a trial venue ruling. He is charged with stealing a 2014 Skoda Octavia from a residence in Stamullen in Co Meath, on March 4. He also faces three counts of dangerous driving three days later at the Walshestown roundabout and at two locations on the R132 in north Co Dublin, and he is accused of causing criminal damage to another vehicle on the same date.

The DPP recommended trial on indictment, meaning the case should be sent forward for trial to the circuit court, which has wider sentencing power. Yesterday, Judge John O’Connor agreed the case was too serious to be dealt with in the juvenile court.

The boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was remanded in custody to appear again in four weeks when it is expected a book of evidence will be served on him and he can then be returned for trial.

Garda Kate Daly Ní Bhroin told the juvenile court it was alleged the stolen car was seen driving dangerously in the Balbriggan area and it had false registration plates. She said the boy drove off at speed in areas where there were cyclists and pedestrians and it was claimed he overtook other vehicles where there were continuous white lines and “oncoming traffic had to swerve to avoid him”. She said there was a traffic collision involving the stolen Skoda and a Kia Sportage which ended up rolled on its side and all its windows smashed. The children in the Kia were pulled out of the written-off SUV by their father and rushed to hospital. They did not suffer any lasting injuries.

It was alleged that both vehicles were written-off at a cost of €42,000 and Garda Daly Ní Bhroin said when the boy was later arrested he made full admissions.