Teen remanded after kicking youth in head

A 14-year-old schoolboy, who kicked another boy on his head as he lay on the ground, has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

The teenager pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to assault causing harm to the boy in Templeogue, Dublin on May 12 last.

Garda Elaine Rowan, of Terenure station, told Judge Ann Ryan that the victim who is in his mid-teens had been on his lunch break at school when he was told that another boy had taken his bicycle.

He saw the defendant who attends a different school on his bicycle. The boy then cycled over and one of his friends “knocked the victim to the ground with a punch. The defendant then kicked him on his head.”

Judge Ryan noted that the victim suffered some facial injuries but made a full recovery.

The defendant did not have any previous convictions and was supported in court by both of his parents who were very distressed.

His parents had been trying to get assistance for their boy since he was aged 8 years.

He has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as well as depression for which he was has received different medications including Prozac.

Judge Ryan said the case verged on being serious enough to be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court.

However she accepted jurisdiction to keep the case in the Children’s Court on hearing that the victim recovered from the attack.

She accepted the parents’ concerns for their son and told them there was hope for him.

She remanded the south Dublin boy on bail until February and directed the preparation of a pre-sentence probation report.

The judge also advised the parents that the Probation and Welfare Services could assist them in identifying what can be done to help their son.