Teenager faces court after 'spilt pint' row

A teenager, who allegedly slashed a man’s face with a glass during a hotel bar row over a spilt pint, was today served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The 17-year-old boy, who is on bail, had been charged at the Children’s Court with assault causing harm to man, at the Russell Court Hotel, on Dublin’s Harcourt Street, on May 23 last year.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had held that the Children’s Court was to decide whether the case should be heard there or instead be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which on conviction can impose lengthier sentences.

Earlier a judge had said the court noted from an outline of the allegations that as a result of the incident the victim still has a scar. It was held that the case was too serious for the Children’s Court and should be sent to the Circuit Court.

The row broke out over a "spilt pint" the court had heard. The alleged victim had instigated the fight and the teen reacted by hitting him with a glass, it was claimed.

The defence counsel pleaded for the case to be kept in the Children’s Court saying the south Dublin had made full admissions, had no previous convictions and the attack was in retaliation.

The teenager, who was accompanied to court by his father, was served with the book of evidence in the case yesterday.

Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin remanded the boy on bail to appear during the current term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.