Family of schoolgirl attacker to donate to charity

A teenage schoolgirl, who punched another girl following a row over a lost jacket, has been placed on a probation bond for six months and her family has been ordered to make a donation to charity.

The girl (aged 16) was convicted at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday for assaulting a now 17-year-old girl, in Tallaght, last November.

The defendant had claimed that she lost a jacket at the home of the victim during a party two weeks previously.

The victim said the girl approached her outside her home and repeatedly demanded its return but she told her that no jacket had been found.

The defendant persisted and then boxed her to her forehead leaving her with a bump. The defendant claimed she had been acting in self defence but Judge Patrick Clyne noted that the girl did not bring witnesses to court despite saying there had been three others in her group.

Another teenage girl said that she saw the defendant punch the victim and there had been no provocation.

Judge Clyne said it was “disgraceful” that the case had come to court at all and that it should have been dealt with by ways of apologies from both sides’ families.

He was told that the defendant was facing sentence next month for an assault causing harm conviction.

He said he knew that she would not be able to pay compensation but added that her family were responsible for her until she reaches the age of 18.

The girl’s family were directed to donate €500 to charity by late November as the victim did not want to receive the money.

A probation bond for six months was also imposed by the judge.