Machete accused teen lashed out at gardaí

A drunk 16-year-old boy lashed out at gardaí after he was caught with a concealed machete, the Dublin Children's Court heard today.

The teenager has been charged with possessing the machete knife as an offensive weapon, along with charges for being intoxicated in public and breach of the peace, which allegedly occurred on the night of September 28 last, in Clondalkin, in Dublin.

He is also accused of having a knife at Earlsfort Drive, in Lucan, in Dublin, on October 2 last and faces connected Public Order Act charges.

In an outline of evidence, Garda Gavin Carroll told the court that the teen had been stopped and “on searching him, he had a large machete knife concealed in his pants.”

The boy and another male were handcuffed and put into a patrol car where they became aggressive. “He was kicking us in the patrol car and it continued at the station as well,” he alleged.

A decision has to be made as to whether the case is to be kept in the jurisdiction of the Children's Court or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Judge Smyth deferred ruling on the issue of jurisdiction for two weeks so the knives could be first exhibited in court.

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