Teen denies drugs and ammo charges

A 17-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to possessing €5,000 worth of drugs as well as three shotgun cartridges allegedly recovered during searches of his bedroom,

The boy had been charged at the Children's Court with possessing cocaine and heroin, for sale or supply at his north inner city Dublin home, on July 23 and October 13 last year.

He is also charged under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act with possessing shotgun cartridges.

Today Judge William Hamill was told that the teenager was pleading not guilty. He set a date for hearing in October and the case is to be listed again in four weeks for mention.

The boy, who was accompanied to his case by his mother, was remanded on continuing bail.

Earlier Garda Stephen Beatty had told the court it was alleged that a search was carried out during which “diamorphine (heroin) with an estimated value of €2,400, and cocaine worth €300 was recovered.”

“During the search three shotgun cartridges were recovered in his bedroom,” Garda Beatty had also said adding that they were unused rounds.

Garda Susan Roche had told the court that the boy's bedroom was searched again in October and this time it was alleged that heroin worth €2,500 was found as well as cannabis valued at €60.