Mugging accused teens tracked down online

Two teens accused of taking part in a vicious mugging of a woman in Dublin were tracked down by the victim on Facebook, a court heard.

A boy, aged 16, charged with the robbery in Balbriggan on August 30, 2015, appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court .

Garda Kevin Fitzpatrick told Judge John O’Connor the woman, aged 31, was walking through a housing estate when she noticed a small group of teenagers behind her. It would be alleged a girl asked her for a light and tried to grab her handbag as the woman turned around.

It was alleged the boy grabbed the woman by her hair and she was “punched several times in the head” by the boy. The court heard the woman claims the boy also produced a knife and said “give me your money”.

Her bag, containing €90, house keys and her bank cards, was taken. The boy and his co-accused were identified via Facebook where the woman allegedly saw photos of them which she showed to gardaí.

Damian McKeone, defending, asked for a trial date to be set . The youthwas remanded on continuing bail. The teenage girl has already pleaded not guilty.

Their trial date will be set next week.