Six months for teen who attacked Polish boy

A teenager has been given a six month sentence for his role in a gang attack on a Polish boy, who was repeatedly kicked and stamped as he lay on the ground.

The victim who was left badly cut and bruised had been attacked over a cigarette lighter, the Dublin Children’s Court heard.

The defendant (aged 16), and another boy (aged 17), pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the 17-year-old Polish teen, at Church View Road, in Ballybrack, in south Dublin, on April 6 last.

The younger boy had also admitted obstructing the gardai during a drug search, at the back of St Patrick’s Institution, in Dublin, on May 20 last. He and another had been caught throwing suspicious packages into the detention centre for male in-mates aged 16 to 21.

Giving evidence in relation to the attack Detective Garda Alan Clear, of Cabinteely station, said the victim had been walking through a car park when he was asked for the loan of a cigarette lighter by some youths which he agreed to let them use.

The south Dublin 16-year-old defendant refused to give it back and the injured party walked after them into a field.

“The victim was knocked to the ground, another youths held him down. The other two kicked and punched him on the ground. The assault lasted for two minutes until the injured party managed to escape,” Det-Gda Clear said.

The victim suffered cuts and bruising to his head but has made a full recovery, Judge Ann Ryan was told.

Defence solicitor Michelle Finan said the 16-year-old defendant had an alcohol and drug problem and had been attending addiction therapy.

Judge Ryan also heard that this boy had one previous conviction for motor theft for which he had been let off under the Probation Act earlier this year.

The teen’s mother had been extremely supportive and the boy is facing no further charges.

In relation to the obstruction charge the judge released him on a probation bond. She imposed a six month sentence for the assault saying it was a very serious matter.

However she said she took into consideration the mitigation submissions and suspended it on condition that he was of good behaviour for the next 12 months.

She adjourned sentencing his 17-year-old co-defendant, who is on bail, until January to allow time for a probation report to be obtained.