Judge: Robbery was ‘gang mentality of worst kind’

A judge has described as “gang mentality of its worst kind” a Dublin city-centre robbery where a Chinese national was knocked unconscious before his phone and shoes were stolen by a pack of teenagers.

A 16-year-old boy faced a preliminary hearing at the Dublin Children’s Court for a ruling on his trial venue. The DPP had recommended he should be tried on indictment in the Circuit Court which has tougher sentencing powers.

He is one of seven young people, including a 14-year-old girl, who were charged with robbery of the man, aged 28, at Liffey St in the early hours of July 10 last.