Boy, 17 receives 25th criminal conviction

A Dublin boy, 17, has received his 25th criminal conviction after he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis today.

The teenager admitted at the Dublin Children’s Court that he had a supply of cannabis, worth €100, at Killane Road, in Dublin, on April 17 last.

His arrest happened just over two weeks after he had received a two-year sentence at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which was suspended on condition that he committed no further offence for three years, for a serious joyriding offence.

Garda Linda Haren, of the Bridewell station, told Judge Ann Ryan that she had kept the teenager under observation for 15 minutes when she saw him approach a car and speak to the occupant.

“I approached and on doing this I saw him discard an item through the passenger window of the vehicle. I searched the car and found four pieces of a brown substance wrapped in a plastic bag.”

She continued her evidence, telling the court the north inner city Dublin boy already 24 prior convictions.

The latest was on March 22 last when he received the two year suspended sentence in the Circuit Court for motor theft offence.

In September last year he was let off under the Probation Act for public order, criminal damage and attempted motor theft offences.

Garda Haren agreed with defence solicitor Michelle Finan that the boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, had co-operated when he was held for questioning.

Judge Ryan made an order that the Circuit Court was to be made aware of the boy’s latest conviction “as soon as possible” as it had given the teen the suspended sentence, shortly before his arrest.

She adjourned sentencing the teen, who is on bail, for the drugs offence, until January after the matter has been raised in the Circuit Court.