Garda-attack teen locked up

A teenager, who subjected a Garda to a vicious sustained attack, has been remanded in custody by Judge Ann Ryan at the Dublin Children’s Court.

The 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty at the Children’s Court to seven offences for motor theft, driving without a licence and insurance, obstruction of two gardaí and assaulting two gardaí, on July 7 last year, in the Cherry Orchard area in west Dublin, when he was aged 15.

He had also admitted stealing petrol from a service station in west Dublin, on July 7 last and attempted motor theft, on July 22 last, in Palmerstown.

In November he was granted bail until today to allow time for a pre-sentence probation report to be obtained. The boy was ordered to obey a curfew between 9pm and 7am as a condition of his bail.

Judge Ryan noted that an excellent welfare report on the west Dublin teen, who was accompanied to court by his mother, had been furnished to court recommending releasing him on probation.

However, she also heard that in the early hours of New Year’s Day the teenager, who already had 15 previous convictions, had been arrested for allegedly joyriding a stolen car, during his curfew hours. It is alleged he led Garda on a dangerous high speed chase.

“That sheds a totally different light on things,” she said as she revoked his bail and remanded him in custody to St Patrick’s Institution until next week.

Garda Brian Teehan of Ballyfermot station had told court how the boy was involved in the “most violence I have witnessed in my career.”

“I saw the teenager driving erratically and in a dangerous manner. The car stopped on Cherry Orchard Crescent. The accused exited the car and ran. I gave chase on foot for about one-and-a-half kilometres. He kept running and shouted ‘I will kill you if you catch me’.”

The Garda caught up with the boy who then hit him on the face.

“He carried out a violent assault on me. He spat at me punched me, he tried to bite my legs. I could feel his teeth closing on my legs through my trousers.”

Other gardaí arrived to provide assistance at which the boy calmed down. When he was put in a patrol car his behaviour changed again and he spat and head butted at the garda.

“I held his face away from me to stop him from spitting and head butting and he tried to bite me.”

At Ballyfermot station he became violent again and kicked at the garda and other officers.

“He was out of control at that stage,” the garda said adding that the teen’s behaviour continually “fluctuated from one extreme to another.”

The boy then spat into another garda’s face and had to be restrained. He picked up his runner and with it hit a garda on his face, cutting his nose.

The boy then told the garda: “I will follow you home I will rape you, your old one, your sister and your dog, and I’ll burn out your house with you all in it.”

The teen already 15 had previous convictions for theft, public order and motor theft offences and previously he had received a two-year sentence in the Trinity House detention centre.

Defence solicitor Michelle Finan had told the court the boy had managed to complete the Junior Certificate in custody. His problems with drink and drugs manifested themselves through violence.

The court heard that his parents were also recovering addicts.

He has been taking part in a training course with the hope it could lead to employment and learning a trade, Ms Finan said.