Teenager accused of attack remanded on bail

A 17-year-old schoolboy accused of taking part in a sustained street attack on a man who was allegedly beaten with a rock and a metal pole has been remanded on bail.

The boy, who is in care, has been charged at the Children’s Court with assault causing harm to a man, who is in his 20s, at South Richmond Street in Dublin, on March 19 last.

Outlining the State’s evidence, Garda Eoghan O’Neill of Harcourt Terrace station told Judge Bryan Smyth it was alleged that the man was left with cuts on his cheek, the top and back of his head, over his right eye and the base of his neck. The complainant needed eight stitches to his face, the court was told.

The man had been attacked by two youths and it was alleged the defendant had used a metal pole and a rock, during the assault.

“The assault began at South Richmond Street and ran on into Rathmines where the injured party went into a shop,” he said.

Judge Bryan Smyth remanded the boy, who was accompanied by a social worker, on bail to appear again next month.

The teen’s solicitor Michelle Finan is to prepare submissions pleading for the case to be heard in the Children’s Court rather than for it to be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Judge Smyth acceded to a request from Ms Finan for a copy of the State’s evidence in the case to be furnished.

The defence submissions for the case to be kept in the juvenile court come under Section 75 of the Children Act. This part of the legislation sets out grounds where the Children’s Court can retain jurisdiction for a case involving serious allegations, by taking into consideration the age and level of maturity of a juvenile defendant.

An 18-year-old youth, who is also in care, has been remanded on bail to appear again in February in connection with the incident. He has also been charged with assault causing harm.

However, it is not alleged he used a weapon during the incident. He was a juvenile at the time of the offence and the DPP has recommended that his case should stay at Children’s Court level subject to him pleading guilty.