Youth to be sentenced in January for suspected hit-and-run

A 19-year-old youth has pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a man who was left brain damaged following a suspected hit and run in Dublin last year.

Christopher O'Rourke (aged 25) was hospitalised with serious brain injuries after he was knocked down at around midday on April 19, 2009 in the Bluebell area of south Dublin.

Gavin Guerrine, who was 17 at the time of the incident, appeared at the Central Criminal Court today.

Wearing a striped purple and white shirt and black trousers, the youth, of La Touche Road in Bluebell, stood in court and pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr O'Rourke.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced in January next year.

Mr Justice Paul Carney directed that a victim impact statement be prepared for the sentence hearing.