Judge concerned at number of victims withdrawing complaints

A judge said today said she was concerned at the number of times that victims have withdrawn their complaints against suspected young offenders.

Judge Angela Ní Chonduin had been presiding at the Dublin Children’s Court.

There were 15 cases for hearing but in five of them gardaí applied for a strike-out on the basis that the victims did not want to proceed with the cases which involved charges for criminal damage and trespassing.

The judge was told that in one case the victim, who had a little child, lived near the defendant and “did not want any trouble”. Another victim had family ties to one defendant.

Commenting on the situation after another case was withdrawn because injured parties did not want to proceed with the case, Judge Ní Chonduin said: “This is the fifth case today where gardaí have made an application to withdraw the case because the injured parties were not willing to go ahead. I am concerned.”

“I am wondering what is happening, are people afraid? Are child defendants more vicious?”

Striking out the cases, Judge Ní Chonduin also added that the prosecutions had been a waste of Garda time.