Teens on trial after being identified on Facebook

Two teenagers charged with taking part in a mugging of a woman in Dublin after they were allegedly identified on Facebook will be tried separately in January.

A 16-year-old boy and a girl, also aged 16, have been charged with robbery in Balbriggan on August 30 last year and appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court. They have pleaded not guilty. Following submissions from the girl’s barrister, Judge John O’Connor agreed to an adjournment to allow separate trials to be held.

The pair, who cannot be named because they are minors, remain on bail.

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

I t would be alleged the woman was “punched several times in the head” by the boy, who, she claims, also produced a knife and told her to “give me your money”.

Her bag, which contained €90, house keys, and her bank cards, was taken. Garda Fitzpatrick said the two accused were identified via Facebook, where the woman allegedly saw photos of them which she then showed to gardaí.