16-year-old girl to stand trial in assault case

A schoolgirl accused of attacking a man, who was cut and scarred when he tried to protect a tourist allegedly assaulted by a teen gang, has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The girl (16) had been charged at the Children’s Court with assault causing harm to a man, at a bus stop on the Swords Road, in north Dublin, on December 13 last. She is also accused of attacking a woman at Swords Road, in Dublin, on the same date.

A bench warrant had been issued last week after the court had heard that the girl had fled to England with her father. A one-week stay had been put on the warrant during which time the girl had been brought back to Ireland and then attended her proceedings.

Judge Patrick Clyne ordered trial in the present term of the Circuit Court after the girl was served with the book of evidence. The girl, who was accompanied to court by her father, was remanded on bail.

Earlier a judge had held the case was too serious to be retained in the Children’s Court and should be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which on conviction can impose lengthier sentences.

The girl allegedly approached a female and attacked her. “There was a number of them, one got in a dispute with a French girl. The man stood up to break up the argument,” a Garda had told the Children’s Court in an outline of the evidence.

“He was set on by the accused and the others. They went for him. He suffered a laceration to his cheek and received three stitches.”

The court was told that the man was struck to this head with a bottle and bitten on his arm.

He was left with a scare on his face, it was also alleged.

Defence solicitor Sarah Molloy had said the girl was denying the allegations against her.