Boy, 18, remanded for school and college burglaries

A 17-year-old boy, who has allegedly burgled schools, a college and the offices of a government department, during a recent crime wave, has been remanded on bail, by the Dublin Children’s Court.

The teenage father-of-one has allegedly stolen over €20,000 worth of laptops and is facing over 20 charges for a spate of burglaries and car-break-ins, in north Dublin.

Detective Garda Donal Corcoran, of Mountjoy station told Judge Ann Ryan he had an objection to bail citing “public interest".

The teen is facing a charge for entering the offices of the Department of the Environment in the Custom House to commit a theft on May 21 last.

Garda Paul Kelly also told the court it is alleged that the boy burgled Marino College in Fairview, in Dublin, on October 12 last. “The accused broke a window and entered the college, 20 laptops were taken and had a value of €23,000. They were not recovered,” he said.

Garda Cyril Kelleher told the court the teen allegedly burgled two schools two days previously.

On same day it is alleged the teenager burgled another premises and stole €1,300 and in a separate incident on the same date made off with €100 during another break-in at St Joseph’s Junior School, in Fairview.

He has also been charged the burgling that school on October 1 last when it is alleged he stole a laptop computer.

Garda Corcoran requested the court remand the boy in custody based on “the number of charges before the court.” “I represent the public interest. If he was let out, his past over the last couple of months has indicated that he would re-offend.”

He also said the teenager had made admissions in relation to the bulk of the charges.

Defence solicitor Michelle Finan said the boy was seeking bail and was still presumed innocent.

Judge Ryan was told the boy had not been accompanied to court by a parent. He lived with extended family, and his main carer was ill and “unable to supervise him".

Judge Ryan granted bail but added a number of conditions including a 5pm to 7am curfew, at the request of Detective Corcoran who said the boy’s crimes occurred “during the cover of darkness.”

She remanded the north inner city Dublin boy on bail to appear again next week to test whether he can stay out of trouble.

She also said that she was concerned at the lack of adult supervision over him and requested that a representative of the Health Service Executive attended the case.