Teens charged in connection with garda shooting face trial

Two 16-year-old boys arrested in connection with the shooting of a Garda sergeant last week are to face trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a judge ruled today.

Jurisdiction to hear the case in the Dublin Children’s Court was refused by Judge Catherine Murphy today.

One of the boys is from Dublin and the second is from the west of Ireland.

Both are charged with possessing a 12-gauge single-barrel breach loading hammer shotgun, contrary to the Firearms Act 1964 and possession of two shotgun cartridges at Monasterboice Road, in Crumlin, on September 27.

The Dublin boy has also been charged with using a stolen car at the same date and place. The teenager from the west of Ireland is charged with travelling as a passenger in the vehicle.

In an outline of the evidence Detective Garda Eamon Maloney, of Sundrive Road station, said it was alleged the Dublin boy was the driver of a stolen car.

“It is alleged he and two others went to number 10 Monasterboice Road at 5.45am and one of the three fired a shotgun shot through the sitting-room window of that house.”

“It’s alleged they returned at 7.45am, Sergeant Mark Clarke was there on duty. A shot was fired hitting Sergeant Clarke on the chest.”

Det-Gda Maloney alleged the accused crashed into another car at the junction of Mourne Road in Drimnagh.

Judge Murphy refused jurisdiction to retain the case in the Children’s Court and ordered trial on indictment in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court instead. Bail was refused following Garda objections to bail.

Detective Maloney said he believed there was no parental control over the boy, who was supported in court by his mother.

Judge Murphy remanded the boy in custody for two weeks pending the preparation of the book of evidence in the case.

Detective Garda Michael McNulty, of Sundrive Road station, said it was alleged the second teenager was a passenger in the car when an occupant of the vehicle started to fire at the Garda. The teen was arrested fleeing from the car after it crashed.

Garda McNulty had no objection to conditional bail with an independent surety.

Judge Murphy refused jurisdiction to hear that boy’s case in the Children’s Court and remanded him in custody, pending the preparation of the book of evidence, with consent to bail in his own bond of €250 and a surety of €250.

Bail conditions compelling the teen to sign on daily at his local Garda station, obey a curfew from 8.30pm to 7am, and reside at his home, were also set.