Teenager remanded on bail

A 15-year-old boy charged with the manslaughter of a schoolboy at the weekend has been remanded on bail for four weeks by Judge James Paul McDonnell at the Dublin Children's Court this morning.

Detective Sergeant Donal Brasil told the court that he arrested the boy at 12.41 am this morning at Coolock Garda Station. At 1.53 am the boy was charged and made no reply when cautioned and was then released into the custody of his parents.

The boy was charged with the manslaughter of Alan Higgins (17), who died after he was attacked and robbed on Saturday night.

The boy had been accompanied by both parents who stood up and spoke to confirm their son's date of birth. The also accepted the courts offer of free legal aid for their boy.

Det Sgt Brasil applied for an amendment to the boy's station bail and asked have certain conditions imposed.

He said he wanted the boy to be compelled, as part of his bail, to sign on daily at the Coolock Garda Station between the hours of 9am and 5pm. He also asked the for a curfew to be imposed on the boy enforcing him to be at home every night from 10pm to 7am.

Det Sgt Brasil said that a file has been sent to the DPP and a there was a likelihood of further charges.

Judge McDonnell told his parents that they should make sure their boy abides by his bail conditions.

He also said that the gardai were entitled to call to their home at any time after 10 pm and would ask for the boy to "show his face." He was remanded on bail until November 12 next.

Two other 16-year-old boys charged with robbery "arising out of the same alleged incident" were also remanded on bail to appear in the Children's Court also on November 12 next.