Ten-year road ban for teenager

A teenager, who raced a motorcycle along a busy train station platform, has been given a two-month sentence and a ten-year road ban, by Judge Ann Ryan at the Dublin Children’s Court.

The 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty yesterday (FRI) to driving without a licence and insurance, at Broombridge railway station, in Dublin, on April 8, 2005. He was aged 14 at the time.

Garda Angela McFadden told the court the teen had been “driving a motorcycle along the railway platform while passengers were getting on and off trains.”

The teenager was stopped and admitted that he did not have a licence or insurance.

Garda McFadden said the boy had a number of previous convictions.

On January 26 last he received a six-month sentence for a theft offence and a further two month term for criminal damage.

The court imposed sentences totalling six months on him, on April 2 last for motor theft offences, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance. On the same date he received another four month sentence for another motor theft.

The teenager was later bailed allowing him to appeal the sentences in the Circuit Court. However, his appeal failed and he was recently taken into custody to serve out the terms, which will expire at the end of 2008.

The court heard that the north inner city Dublin boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, had been attending project to help youths with drug problems, before he went into custody.

Judge Ryan imposed a further two-month sentence on the boy, who received free legal aid, and she also banned him from driving for ten years.