Teenager threatened Garda and family, court hears

A teenage boy, who spat blood into the face of a Garda then threatened to kill him and rape his wife and children, has been remanded on bail to await sentence.

The boy (aged 17), who cannot be name because he is a juvenile, has pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to 49 offences including a threat to kill as well as assault, trespassing, criminal damage, illegal driving, possession of drugs, skipping court and handling stolen property offences.

His offences occurred over the last year and three months and involved nine prosecuting gardaí.

Garda Amanda Lynch of Cabra Station told Judge Catherine Murphy that they boy made the threat to kill Garda John Harrington, on March 29 last, at a petrol station on the New Cabra Road, in Dublin.

“Garda Harrington had initiated a search. The accused grabbed his arm and pulled his shirt. He spat blood into his face. In the patrol car he threatened the Garda saying that he would follow him home rape his wife and kids and put a bullet in his head.”

Judge Murphy heard that in another incident, on July 4 last, the teen was caught trespassing on private property at Ivy Court, in Beaumont, Dublin 9. He was in possession of a wheel brace which he intended to use to steal a set of alloy wheels from a car.

The repeat teen offender who is taking part in a training course was supported in court by his father. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again next month for sentencing.

Judge Murphy imposed a number of strict bail conditions on the boy compelling him to obey a nightly curfew from 8.30pm to 7am daily, not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs, co-operate with the Probation and Welfare Services and not to commit any further offences.

Garda Harrington was instructed to report to the court any breaches of these conditions and the teen was warned that if the bail terms were broken, he would be remanded in custody. “You will be straight to St Patrick’s Institution if there is a breach of the bail conditions,” the judge warned the boy.