Family who fled war-torn Middle East want to return home as Limerick ‘too violent’

A family who fled the war-torn Middle East for a new life here want to return to their homeland after just 13 days in Limerick, because they believe it is too violent.

Details of a vicious and unprovoked attack on a “foreign national” boy were outlined at Limerick Circuit Court during the sentencing hearing of one of the accused yesterday. The defendant, aged 16 at the time, along with a co-accused, armed themselves with stolen hurleys before chasing the terrified victim and beating him unconscious.

The defendant cornered the victim, 16, who did not speak English, in a “dead end” and threw a rock at him, “levelling him”, said John O’Sullivan, SC, prosecuting.

Following the defendant’s arrest, he was granted High Court bail, despite Garda objections. While on bail, he and accomplices went on “a crime frenzy”, Mr O’Sullivan said. The gang broke into more than 20 cars in one week in November 2015.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and 34 other offences of breaking into cars and homes, including 17 counts of criminal damage; nine of theft; six of burglary; and two of stealing cars.

The boy’s father said his traumatised son “did not speak for four days afterwards” and “my wife was very upset and wanted to return with our children to [our home country]. I did not think that when I moved my family to Ireland that they would not be safe. My son still gets pains in his head and is afraid that he will get caught and beaten again.”

Sentencing was adjourned to October 28.