Teen avoids jail for harassment

A boy, who began to harass a former friend’s family and threatened to kill them and their children, has been put on probation for one year.

The teenager (aged 17), had pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to harassing the family under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act as well as another charge for making a threat to kill.

He also admitted assault, trespassing and criminal damage charges.

The incidents happened over three dates in November 2005, when the defendant was aged 16.

The court had heard that the teen and the victim’s son had previously been good friends but had fallen out with each other.

Garda Brian Martin of Santry station had told the court that in one of the incidents the boy had “threatened to burn down the injured parties’ house and slice up their children,” in one incident.

He criminally damaged their car and in another incident trespassed on their back garden and threatened his former friend’s mother that he would kill her and her children.

The north Dublin defendant who had previous conviction for theft and public order violations had previously served sentences in custody.

Judge Catherine Murphy noted that recently he has not been coming to garda attention and was taking part in a training course which could lead to employment.

She imposed a 12-month probation bond compelling the boy to be of good behaviour and to follow the guidance and recommendations of the Probation and Welfare Services for that period.

However, she warned him that should he get into further trouble or did not abide by the probation bond conditions, the case would be brought back to court where he could face a custodial sentence.