Teen accused of attempt to run over gardaí remanded

A 15-year-old boy accused of attempting to run over two gardaí with a car was further remanded in custody today by Judge John Coughlan at the Dublin Children's Court.

Judge Coughlan remanded the boy in custody to appear again in three weeks when he is to be served with a book of evidence. Earlier, it had been held that the case was too serious to be kept in the juvenile court and should be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

The teenager is accused of reckless endangerment of the lives of two gardaí, driving a stolen car and criminal damage to two other vehicles, in north Dublin on October 8 last.

Detective Sergeant Colm Murphy of Coolock Garda Station had alleged that he had been searching the home and car of an associate of the teenager.

He alleged that the teenage defendant, was in the area driving a stolen car, and “drove at me at speed.”

“I had to take evasive action to avoid being struck, the vehicle then swerved away from me, to avoid collision with the parked vehicle belonging to an associate or friend of the accused.”

“It is also alleged that the accused swung the car directly behind that vehicle in the direction of Garda Con Kennedy who had to take evasive action to avoid being struck.”

Det-Sgt Murphy had said the boy then crashed into two other cars parked in the vicinity causing substantial damages.

Two other sets of charges, for driving a car, without a licence and insurance, on September 26 last and for travelling as a passenger in a car, which was stolen from Dublin Airport, on November 24 last, are to remain in the Children's Court. The boy has pleaded guilty to both incidents and the court has sought a probation report prior to dealing with sentencing.

Defence solicitor Adrian Lennon had said his client had no prior convictions and “this is his first entry into the criminal justice system.” The boy had developed substance abuse problems and it was submitted that a probation report on the teenager would be beneficial.

Earlier a report furnished to the court showed that he needed “social skills development” and was influenced by a “negative element of his peer group.”