Taxi teenagers charged with housebreaking

Two teenagers charged over a crash in which a taxi driver died today appeared in court in connection with another alleged offence.

The youths, both aged 16, were charged at Dublin’s Children’s Court with criminal damage and breaking into a house in Co Meath in 2001.

Last week they were charged at the court in connection with a collision in which 30-year-old Dublin taxi driver Robert McGowan died.

One was charged with stealing a car, while the other was charged with travelling in a stolen vehicle.

Another 16-year-old travelling with the pair when the crash happened 10 days ago died in hospital last week.

Gardai are waiting for information from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the possibility of more serious charges relating to the crash.

The youths were today refused bail and were remanded in custody to appear in court again in two weeks.

Meanwhile the High Court today adjourned proceedings against three newspaper editors and a radio station over their coverage of the collision.

Editors of the Sunday World, Independent Newspapers, the Irish Star and RTE radio’s Gerry Ryan show were asked to explain why they should not be jailed for contempt of court after they disclosed the boys’ names.

The case was adjourned until Thursday.