Boy to be tried for car jacking

A 17-year-old boy is to face trial at the Circuit Court in Dublin for an alleged car-jacking of an elderly man.

The boy is accused of motor theft and driving without a licence or insurance in connection with the incident on April 15, at Rossmore Road in Ballyfermot in Dublin.

A book of evidence was served on him yesterday when he appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court.

Judge John O’Neill made an order sending the boy forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he will face his next hearing on October 14.

Earlier, the boy — who cannot be named because he is a minor — faced a preliminary hearing to determine if his trial should take place in the juvenile court or go forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

In an outline of the allegations, the Children’s Court heard that an elderly man had got out of his car to open his gate.

It was alleged the teenager then got into his 2015-reg car and was approached by the victim who was pushed onto the pavement.

The court heard that it would be claimed that the teenager drove away in the car which was subsequently recovered.

The defence had asked for the teenager’s young age to be noted and that he lacked support and had a chaotic lifestyle.

However, it was held that the case was too serious for the Children’s Court and jurisdiction was refused.

The boy, who was accompanied to the hearing by his mother, has not yet entered a plea and was remanded in custody.

The teenager was warned that if he intended to use an alibi in his defence, he must tell the prosecution within 14 days.