Teen arrested for possessing €25,000 of heroin has case struck out

A teenager arrested for possessing about €25,000 worth of heroin, had his drug dealing charges struck out at the Children’s Court y today due to a delay in obtaining directions from the DPP.

The boy (aged 17) had been arrested and charged with possessing heroin for sale or supply in Clondalkin, on Monday, November 3 last. The west Dublin teenager also faced two further heroin dealing offences in the Clondalkin area, in Dublin, on two earlier dates.

Judge Ann Ryan noted that directions had not yet been obtained from the DPP on whether the case should be retained in the Children’s Court or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court which has greater sentencing powers.

She acceded to an application from the defence to strike out the charges releasing the teenager, who had been held in St Patrick’s Institution on remand since November 4 lasts.

The court heard earlier that it was believed the value of the drugs allegedly seized in the teenager’s latest arrest was about €25,000.

In the two previous incidents quantities of heroin worth €1,200 and €100, were recovered, it had been alleged.

Bail, which teenager did not take up, with strict conditions and an independent surety of €1,000 had been set.

It had also been stipulated that bail would also be subject to a satisfactory address being found for the teenager and a ban on him going to the Ronanstown and Clondalkin areas, in west Dublin.

Defence solicitor Michelle Finan had told the court earlier that the teenager had been “unable to take up the bail”.

Gardai had previously voiced concerns about the teenager’s being with young people in his area and his lack of an address.

“I do not think he is allowed into his mother’s home and his father is of no fixed abode,” one of the prosecuting Gardai had said.

He had also added that there were concerns about “the influence he has on other young people in the area.”