One month for boy who assaulted detective

A teenage boy, who left a detective with a life long leg injury, has been given a one month sentence by the Dublin Children’s Court.

The teenager pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the detective, who suffered muscle damage, when he was attacked on Britain Place in north inner city Dublin, on June 6, 2005.

Garda Yvonne Brady told Judge Ann Ryan that she found the 17-year-old boy carrying his younger brother who was extremely intoxicated. The teen’s younger brother was later arrested at which the defendant violently intervened.

It took five gardaí to restrain the boy including a detective who was “kicked and punched suffering knee and thigh injuries for which he is currently receiving treatment".

The north Dublin defendant already had 16 previous convictions for theft, attempted robbery and assault offences and had previously received detention sentences in St Patrick’s Institution.

Defence solicitor Kelly Breen had told Judge Ryan that the boy was “no stranger to the courts”, was remorseful for his actions and was currently in custody on remand in relation to other charges.

She said he had poor literacy skills, little work experience and could benefit from assistance from the Probation Service to help stop a “chaotic cycle".

Judge Ryan had adjourned sentencing until yesterday for Probation Service intervention to help the teenager with his problems and address finding a training course for him in the hope it would put him “back on the straight and narrow.”

She noted yesterday that the teen was due to be released from a custodial sentence next month.

She imposed a one month sentence on the teen but also put him on probation for six months to allow him avail of further help from the Probation Service after his release.