Teen arrested in relation to hijacking is served with book of evidence

A 17-year-old boy arrested in relation to a violent hijacking and attack of a man who had been sleeping in his car while parked in Dublin city centre was served with a book of evidence today.

The west Dublin boy had been charged at the Children’s Court with assault causing harm and seizing control of a vehicle, on Victoria Quay, on May 26 last. The victim had been asleep in his car when a group of youths attacked him, Judge Bryan Smyth was told.

After hearing an outline of the allegations Judge Smyth held that the case should go forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

The teenager, who is in custody, was served with the book of evidence, at which the judge ordered that the case was to go before the next term of the Circuit Court, which begins in January.

Judge Smyth had been told that the defendant and two other suspects “discovered the injured party asleep in his vehicle. They gained entry by breaking the lock, and the injured party was punched and kicked.”

The court heard the man, who suffered head injuries, was thrown from his car which was then driven away.

Defence solicitor Ms Sarah Molloy had asked for the case to be retained in the jurisdiction of the Children’s Court. She said the boy, who was accompanied to court by his grandmother, intended to plead guilty to the charges and she submitted that the victim did not sustain long-term injuries.

She said he was in custody on other matters and using his time there positively by taking part in classes and accepting assistance from the Probation Service.