Teen mugger detained for 10 months

A 17-year-old boy who threatened to stab a Polish man in the eye with a pen during a violent mugging, has been detained for 10 months.

The north Dublin teenager had pleaded guilty at the Children’s Court to a number of offences; the robbery, being drunk and disorderly and attempted car theft.

During the proceedings he laughed and sniggered as accounts of his offences were given and he also threatened to kick a Garda in the face when he was rebuked for his disruptive behaviour.

In evidence, Garda Ruairi Phelan, of Pearse Street Station, told Judge Angela Ni Chonduin that on June 15 last, the teenager, with two accomplices, approached the Polish man at the Bachelors Walk boardwalk.

“He threatened to stick a pen in his eye while trying to take his bag,” the Garda said. Another youth with the defendant hit the man on the side of his head with a metal object and they all fled the scene.

The teenager, from Finglas, already had 17 previous convictions, for public order violations, trespassing, car theft and dangerous driving.

A conviction in 2004 for a car theft saw him getting detained for three months in St Patrick’s Institution.

His earlier convictions also resulted in fines and detention terms.

Judge Ni Chonduin was also told that the teenager had been caught trying to hot-wire a car at Connacht Street and there were two other incidents where he was found intoxicated in a public place to such an extent that he was a danger to himself and others.

The boy had been taking part in a FAS training course after leaving school on completion of the Junior Certificate.

Judge Ni Chonduin said the teenager’s attitude during the hearing showed contempt for the court.

She detained him for 10 months for the robbery charge and also imposed fines totalling €220 for the public order charges and a two month suspended sentence for the attempted car theft.