Cork teenager pleads guilty minutes before trial

A Cork teenager has pleaded guilty, minutes before his trial began at the Central Criminal Court, to unlawful carnal knowledge of a young girl.

The 17-year-old youth had originally pleaded not guilty to having unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl who was under 15 on February 10, 2001 in Glanmire, Co Cork.

He was 16 years old at the time and cannot be named for legal reasons.

Mr Justice Barry White thanked members of the jury, who had been sworn in earlier today, for their patience and excused them from jury duty for the next five years.

Mr Justice White remanded the youth on continuing bail for sentence on April 29 next and ordered the preparation of probationary and victim impact reports.

His name was also added to the Sexual Offenders Register under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.