Teen remanded in assault on mother holding baby

A 15-year-old boy, who allegedly took part in an assault on a woman and broke her leg and arm while she held on to her baby, has been remanded in custody.

The Tallaght boy appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court charged with assault causing harm to the woman, who in her thirties and his cousin, on October 31 last, in Rathfarnham.

Judge Catherine Murphy was told that the woman was allegedly the subject of a separate assault by one of the boy’s relatives, who is facing trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

It was alleged the teen attacked her and threatened to kill her if she gave evidence in the Circuit Court case.

Garda Leanne McCarthy of Rathfarnham station objected to bail saying the boy had been involved in a serious assault. The woman, she said, suffered “a broken arm, broken leg and lacerations to her head and body. She was holding a one-year-old baby."

She objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence, over which further charges may be brought, and because the victim could be at risk if the boy was released.

“In the injured party’s statement, she outlined that the defendant threatened her to drop charges in relation to the incident that is coming before the Circuit Court, or they would kill her.”

Garda McCarthy also added that she was satisfied that the woman’s life was in danger.

The teen, who had never been in court before, sought bail and would be contesting the allegations, said defence solicitor Kelly Breen.

Judge Murphy granted legal aid to the boy, who was supported in court by his mother, and remanded him custody until next week when a bail hearing is to be held.