15-year-old remanded on bail in relation to Traveller feud

A 15-year-old schoolboy, who has been charged along with his father and uncle over an outbreak of tit-for-tat violence linked to a Traveller family feud, was today remanded on bail pending directions from the DPP.

The feud in north Dublin has seen retaliatory attacks, homes vandalised, a stabbing and a shooting, the Children’s Court has heard.

The boy had been charged on October 14 last with engaging in violent disorder, possession and production of a knife during a dispute, at Ballymun Garda station, which happened on the previous day. He had initially been remanded in custody by the Children’s Court but was granted High Court bail earlier this week.

Judge Bryan Smyth remanded the teenager, who was accompanied to his case by his aunt, to appear again in four weeks.

This was to allow time for the DPP to recommend whether the case should be retained in the Children’s Court or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which can, on conviction, impose lengthier sentences.

A separate charge for criminal damage and trespassing at a business premises in Santry in Dublin was also put back until to the same date.

“They were armed with metal poles, knives, hatchets and slash-hooks and attacked the group outside the station,” Garda Sergeant Oliver Henry had said during an earlier bail hearing.

Gardaí had objected to bail saying attempts at mediation between the rival factions had failed and neither side was “intent on a peaceful resolution”. Garda Sergeant Henry had there was not “adequate parental supervision” to prevent the teen being involved in further feud related activities.

The boy’s caravan home was wrecked during the troubles between the feuding families and his mother was currently ill in hospital.

At a previous bail hearing a garda had objected to bail in light of the seriousness of the allegations and a belief that “there will be retaliations; all of this has been tit-for-tat retaliation”.

A garda told Judge Smyth that it was believed that if granted bail, the boy “would be brought back into the middle of it again”.

The court had been told the feud dated back to the year 2000 but had mostly calmed down.

However, the conflict resumed on October 9 last and has led to a number of homes being vandalised, a man stabbed and firearms being used in incidents currently under investigation.

Both the teenager’s father, who is in his 40s, and his uncle, also in his 40s, have been charged with violent disorder, possessing a knife, assault and criminal damage in connection with the feud.