Teen accused of biting carer
The boy, aged 17, is charged with assault causing harm to a male member of staff, criminal damage to fixtures and fittings at a care home in Dublin, and resisting arrest.
The DPP had recommended the teen be tried in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.
A preliminary hearing was held to decide whether the case would remain in the juvenile court or go forward to the higher court.
In an outline of evidence, Garda Andrew Sheerin of Ballyfermot station told Judge John O’Connor at the Dublin Children’s Court that there had been an incident in the care facility and the teen had to be restrained by staff. The boy bit one of the care workers four times.
It is alleged that on the same date, he caused €1,100 worth of damage to a mirror, sink, window, and table at his care home.
Garda Sheerin said that when he got to the home the teen was lying on his bed and became aggressive towards him, making attempts to bite him.
The defence made submissions under section 75 of the Children Act for the case to stay in the Children’s Court. It can accept jurisdiction in serious cases following submissions in relation to age and level of maturity, as well as other relevant factors.
Damian McKeone, defending, asked Judge O’Connor to note that the boy has been in full care since he was aged four. The teen was accompanied to the hearing by his mother and youth workers.
He has substance abuse problems, has attended addiction counselling, and accepted he had an anger management problem.
Judge O’Connor said the youth was almost 18 and it was a serious case. He accepted that reactive detachment issues were serious but said they cannot be used as an excuse for carrying out a serious assault.
He refused jurisdiction and remanded the youth on bail to appear again in September when it is expected he will be served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.
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