Teen offender accused of taking part in unprovoked attack

A first-time teen offender, who took part in an unprovoked attack where a man was repeatedly kicked to his head and left needing reconstructive surgery, has been remanded on continuing bail pending sentence.

The 17-year-old boy had pleaded guilty at the Children’s Court to assault causing harm to the man (aged 36) at Aughrim Street, in Dublin city-centre, in September last year, after he got drunk at a debs’ ball.

He had been remanded to appear again today for a probation report to be furnished. The report recommended that the boy be placed a crime diversion action plan for six months, monitored by the Probation Service. Alcohol abuse counselling would also have to be undertaken by the boy as part of the plan.

Defence solicitor Eileen McCabe said the boy and his family were agreeable to proposal.

Judge Smyth adjourned sentencing until later this month, to allow the case to be dealt with by Judge Clare Leonard, who originally heard the evidence in July. He also said the issue of compensation had to be dealt with.

Garda Neil O’Gorman had said the victim was set on by the teenager and a 15-year-old boy, who received a caution from the Garda Juvenile Liaison Office (JLO).

“He was walking on Aughrim Street; one of the youths pestered him. There was a verbal altercation and he was set on by the two youths. He was knocked to the ground and crawled to the middle of the road, he couldn’t get up. He received kicks and blows to the head.”

The teen was not deemed suitable for a JLO caution because following his arrest he did not take responsibility for what happened. However later he owned up by which time he was charged.

The court had heard that teenager, who has no previous convictions, came from a good family, had just finished school and hoped to go on to third level education. He received good results in the Junior Certificate, was involved in sports and drama in his spare time and hoped to become an actor.

His solicitor had said it was accepted that it was a “horrific incident” but she added it was “once off” and that he has taken “huge steps to make sure it does not happen again.”

The victim, who suffered a fractured jaw, needed “reconstructive facial surgery” as a result of the attack, the court had also heard.