Schoolboy charged in connection with crash into car escorting Taoiseach

A schoolboy has been charged in connection with an incident in which a Garda Special Branch car escorting Taoiseach Brian Cowen was struck by stolen vehicle in Dublin last month.

Two detectives, who were not injured in the collision, were following the Taoiseach's official car as Mr Cowen was being driven home from a late Cabinet meeting on the night of November 18 last.

The 16-year-old west Dublin teenager was charged in connection with the incident at the Children's Court with stealing a car at St John's Road West, in Dublin 8 in connection with the alleged incident.

He also faces an additional charge for reckless endangerment of life by engaging in conduct which “created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another” at St John's Road West, on November 18 last.

Judge Bryan Smyth heard that the boy, who was accompanied to his case by a family member, made no reply when the charges were put to him.

Directions from the DPP are required in relation to whether the case should be kept in the jurisdiction of the Children's Court or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Defence solicitor Gareth Noble sought disclosure of the prosecution evidence so he could prepare representations under Section 75 of the Children Act to plead for the case to be dealt with in the juvenile court.

That part of the legislation sets out grounds where the Children's Court can retain jurisdiction for a case involving serious allegations, by taking into consideration the age and level of maturity of a juvenile defendant - a person under the age of 18.

Judge Smyth directed disclosure to the defence and remanded the boy, who has never been before a court previously, on bail to appear again next month.