15-year-old gets nine months following 27 convictions

A 15-year-old repeat teen offender, described by a judge “as fascinated by cars” has been detained for nine months on his 27th criminal conviction, by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at the Dublin Children’s Court.

The court heard there were 15 instances over a two-week period in July where he breached his bail conditions. Earlier he had been ordered to obey a 10pm – 7am curfew, abstain from alcohol and drugs and remain away from certain areas in his locality.

The boy pleaded guilty to six charges for unlawfully interfering with car, criminally damaging it, on March 4 last, driving a stolen car on June 8 last, breach of the peace, on June 22 last, a shoplifting theft and another breach of the peace, on June 29 last.

Judge MacGrath heard that the offences were committed in north inner city area of Dublin, where the teenager resided.

On June 11 last, the boy had been given a 14-month sentence. However he escaped serving the term imposed because a juvenile detention centre he was supposed to be held in was full.

Finalising the case today Judge MacGrath said “I find myself with no option but to impose a custodial sentence. I hope you use it to think about where you are going and what you are doing, use it in a positive way.”

Defence solicitor Mr John Quinn said the teen was pleading to be dealt with in a non-custodial way and hoped to resume his education.

However, Judge MacGrath said that the boy had “got opportunities from this court and support from his family but it has just not worked.”

“You have to take control of your life, you need to understand that,” she told the boy, who nodded and answered weakly, “yeah.”

The teen was sentenced to nine-months in the Trinity House detention centre, in Dublin.

The court heard that the boy had 21 previous convictions, mostly for stealing and attempted thefts of cars. He also had convictions for assault.

The judge said it appeared the boy, who was accompanied to court by his parents, was “fascinated by cars.”

“The sort of offences we have before the court would give rise to concerns that he would kill someone else or himself,” Judge MacGrath had also said.

During the case, the boy remained silent as Garda Sarah Jane Cusack outlined his criminal record.

She listed his prior crimes, telling the court: “21 in total. Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, unlawful carriage in vehicle, one year in St Michael’s Institution; section 8 Public Order Act, one month St Michael’s Institution, unlawful taking {of a motor vehicle} taken into consideration; unlawful carriage taken into consideration; possession of articles for use in a theft; 113 road traffic act, unlawful interference {with a motor vehicle}; criminal damage taken into consideration, another criminal damage taken into consideration.”

“Getting into a MPV {mechanically propelled vehicle} under section 113 of the Road Traffic Act, taken into consideration; section six of the Public Order Act, engaging in threatening, abusive behaviour, taken into consideration, assault taken into consideration, assault taken into consideration, obstruction taken into consideration.”

Detailing his latest set of consecutive sentences, which the boy never served, she said: “On June 11, 2008, theft – sentenced to two months in Oberstown Boys’ Centre; unlawful taking of a MPV – sentenced to two months; trespassing with intent to commit an offence – one month; possession of articles under the Theft Act – one month, unlawful taking of a MPV under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act – three months; section four theft – one month; unlawful taking {of a motor vehicle}— two months, intent to commit an offence – three months.”