Teenage vigilante's case referred to Circuit Court

A teenage vigilante, who "took the law into his own hands" and was part of a retaliation attack two days after he had been beaten by another youth, was served with a book of evidence today.

The 17-year-old boy, a first time-offender, had been charged at the Children’s Court with taking part in a violent disorder with at least two others, at the grounds of a south Dublin school, in May last year.

The boy, who was accompanied to his case by his parents, was served with a book of evidence at the Children’s Court today and his case is now due to go forward to the next term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Bryan Smyth stipulated that as a condition of bail the boy must not have any contact with witnesses in the case.

Earlier it had been held that the boy’s case was too serious to be retained in the Children’s Court and should be sent forward to the Circuit Court which can impose lengthier sentences.

Garda Ciaran O’Mahoney had told the Children’s Court that the defendant drove his brother and four other youths to the grounds of the school where some teenagers were playing football.

He stayed in the car as his brother and his group approached the teens and “assaulted them”.

“The group punched and kicked one of them. He was left with bite marks on his chest.”

He added that the incident was not school-related but agreed with the defence solicitor that the defendant had been attacked two days previously by the boy who was assaulted.

He also said that boy is facing prosecution for assaulting the defendant.

The defendant’s brother and his alleged accomplices are also to face trial in the Circuit Court for assault causing harm.

Defence solicitor Sarah Molloy had strenuously pleaded for the defendant’s case to be kept in the Children’s Court.

“He says that two days beforehand he was jumped on by two people and had his nose burst open.”

She said it was an “unusual case”, he had “never been before the courts before”.

“He is happy to plead guilty and accepts taking the law into his own hand was not acceptable,” she had submitted. “His family have never come to garda attention before. His parents are taking this very seriously and are very upset,” she had also said.

The court had been told that the boy came from a “stable family”, had just finished school and hoped to go on to third-level education.