Teenager involved in incidents which left gardaí in danger is placed under curfew

A Dublin youth, who was involved in public-order incidents which left gardaí in danger from violent teenagers, has been given bail pending sentence with nightly curfew which a judge said should be actively monitored.

The teenager (aged 17), who had 18 previous convictions, was found guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour following a hearing today.

Garda Niall Kennedy of Store Street station told the court that on a date in August he had been part of a special patrol clamping down on anti-social behaviour in north inner city Dublin.

He came across the youth with a group of teenagers in a problem area and asked them to move. Most complied but as he was leaving the scene the teenager shouted “drive on you f***ing muppet”.

He went to arrest the teenager for engaging in threatening behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace. The boy ran and was chased until the garda apprehended him.

Garda Kennedy said that, at this point, “six to 10 youths came running at me and threw pint glass bottles at me”.

“Glass was smashing around me I had to release him and retreat.”

The teenager, who was charged on the following day, had denied the allegation.

Judge Hamill was also told that during an incident in the Sheriff Street area, in Dublin, in a few weeks later, the teenager had been at the scene wielding an umbrella at a female garda who was attempting to help a wounded colleague.

In evidence, Garda Martina McDermott said “I was struck on the back and I turned to face him facing me wielding an umbrella”.

He swung it at her but missed as another youth joined in brandishing a glass bottle.

She produced her baton and swung it at the defendant, missing him, at which they fled allowing her to bring her colleague to hospital.

The teenager denied being at the scene but agreed when questioned that the garda had known him for a number of years.

Judge Hamill also heard that in another public order incident the defendant “lunged” at a garda following his arrest.

The court heard that the teenager was released from custody shortly before Christmas after serving half of a two-month sentence imposed in November for public order offences. His earlier offences which twice saw him receive suspended sentences included, motor theft, theft, travelling in stolen vehicles and public order violations.

Defence solicitor Michelle Finan said her client had problems and at one point had been placed into care. At the age of 13, when he began to get into trouble, “he had mental health issues; he was out on the streets late at night”.

His mother, who was in court, said she had accommodation problems and added that her son was attending a youth centre for troubled teens.

Judge Hamill said a custodial sentence was being contemplated and adjourned sentencing for three weeks to allow time for a probation report on the boy to be furnished to the court.

The teenager was remanded on continuing bail pending sentence and ordered to obey a curfew at his home address from 11pm to 7am. He also said he wanted “active monitoring” of the teen’s bail condition by gardaí.