Boy, 17, remanded on six charges of burglary

A teenage repeat offender, who repeatedly broke into cars, has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

The boy (aged 17), pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday to six charges for burglary, motor theft, possession of articles for use in a theft and criminal damage.

Judge Ann Ryan was told that on July 16 last, the teen and an accomplice gained access to a private apartment block’s underground car park, at Blackhall Place, in Dublin.

“A van was taken and was later recovered. It has since been scrapped as a result of the damage caused to it,” a Garda told the court.

Four days previously the north inner city Dublin boy was caught in possession of a spanner which he admitted he had for use in connection with a theft.

On June 3 last at Gardiner Street he caused €250 worth of damages to a car he broke into and in a similar offence on a different date he broke into two other cars, causing €400 worth of damages.

The boy had seven previous convictions for Public Order Act offences, attempted motor theft, criminal damage burglary as well as trespassing. He received his first conviction when he was aged 12 for possession of articles for use in a theft offence.

He still is awaiting sentence for two public order violations and had earlier received probation from the court for all his other prior offences.

Defence solicitor Kelly Breen said the boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother had a number of difficulties.

A probation report, requested by the court earlier, which outlined his background and problems, was furnished to the court.

Ms Breen also said the boy hoped to get a placement on a training course.

Judge Ryan remanded the teen on bail to appear later this week for sentencing and for a further welfare report on him to be furnished to the court.

She said a lot of people had been affected by his actions. “This was out of line,” she told the boy. However, she also said that it was clear he needed to address his offending behaviour but more supports had to be put in place to help him use his energies in a non-criminal way.

This would “be vital for his rehabilitation,” she also said.