Teen attacked three gardaí to prevent arrest of friend, court hears

A 16-year-old boy, who attacked three gardaí in an effort to stop them from arresting one of his friends, has been ordered to do 100 hours community service in lieu of two months detention.

The Children’s Court had heard that gardaí from Store Street station had gone to a suspect’s house in inner city Dublin to arrest him. A number of locals, including the teenager, came to the house to prevent the arrest from taking place.

At one stage, there were 15 people in the house trying to stop the gardaí from arresting the suspect. Up to 80 people had been outside the house and many of them were also trying to obstruct the gardai.

During his attempt to free his friend, the boy had attacked the three gardaí and had kicked one them on his head. He also put up a struggle when he too was arrested, the court heard.

The boy, who had no previous convictions, had admitted obstruction of a garda but denied attacking three gardai, on March 28 last, at Sheriff Street, Dublin 1.

The boy had been found guilty in June and the case was adjourned yesterday to allow time for the preparation of a probation report to establish if he was suitable for a community service sanction.

Judge Angela Ní Chondúin noted from the probation report that the boy was suitable for community service.