Report on teen linked to prostitution 'like story book' says judge

A teenage boy, who is believed to have been linked to prostitution, had an income of €300 a week, which is under garda investigation, a court heard yesterday.

The 15-year-old is being held in custody amid fears for his safety. His case first came before the Children’s Court after he had attacked a garda, who had stopped him from meeting a prostitute.

Over recent months the court has also heard that the boy associated with prostitutes, was in debt to drug dealers, selling drugs at school and known to carry a knife.

“You have been involved in serious activities. It is important to take steps to protect you for your future,” Judge Catherine Murphy said yesterday.

The teenager had been the subject of a comprehensive psychological assessment while in custody. In relation to the contents of a psychological report about the boy, Judge Murphy said: “I read the report. What struck me was that I did not know if I was reading a story book or to take it seriously. That is an important part of this case - it seems that there is a history of him having told stories that did not add up.”

However, defence solicitor Ms Michelle Finan said that most of the details in the report were true.

Judge Murphy also asked whether it was true that the boy had an income of €300 a week at which Detective Garda Richard Hampson said the matter is under investigation.

He also agreed that the teenager has been subject of an investigation where he could be viewed as the victim but he has not made a complaint to the gardaí.

“I believe there is some truth in what is being said,” the detective added.

Judge Murphy adjourned the case and remanded the teenager in custody telling the boy that she was not doing so to penalise him but rather to explore what measures can be taken to protect him. She also asked for the author of the psychological report to be in court.

The boy’s mother said she was worried for her son and added that she could confine him to their home if he was released.

The boy pleaded for bail saying that he could reside with relatives outside Dublin where he would be safe.

Judge Murphy told the boy: “This is more serious than you realise. You’ve been embroiled in serious activities. You need structure in your life, to go back to school and to know where you will be living.”

Therapeutic intervention is also needed for the boy, she said.

“I will not let you out until that is available. I would be worried that if I let you out on bail today that the influences would be too great for you to withstand and you would be back involved in the same level of activity again,” she said.

Earlier the boy’s solicitor Ms Finan had described the boy as being “confused” and also said he needed help and “to be taken out of the locality where he has been living”.