Teen mobile-phone mugging accused returned for trial

A teenager charged in connection with the alleged mugging of Dubliner Brian O'Callaghan, who ended up in a coma, has been returned for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The 17-year-old boy was previously charged at the Children’s Court with robbery of a mobile phone from Mr O’Callaghan at Saint Audeon’s Park, Dublin 8, on April 17 last year.

He was also facing other charges for allegedly robbing a mobile phone from a man on Dublin’s Cook Street, on December 29 last and robbery of a mobile phone from another male on the same street on November 19 last.

He was further charged with assault causing harm to Mr O’Callaghan and the two other victims.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case should be sent forward on indictment to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and not dealt with in the Children’s Court.

The boy, who is from south inner city Dublin and on bail, was yesterday served with the book of evidence in the case.

Judge Bryan Smyth told him that if he intended to rely on alibi evidence during the court of his trial he must give the prosecution the details within two weeks.

Judge Smyth then ordered trial at the next term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The teen’s bail conditions compel him to reside full-time at his family home and to obey a curfew between the hours of 10pm and 7am.