Curfew for teen on stolen car charge

A judge has imposed a curfew on a 16-year-old boy who “sneaks” out of his house at night and was caught in a stolen car this morning.

Judge Clare Leonard ordered that the boy was to be arrested if he was found out during his curfew hours.

The teen, who has been out of school for the past four years, was charged at the Dublin Children's Court with travelling as a passenger in a stolen car which allegedly happened at 4.45 am.

He sat with his arms folded as his mother explained to Judge Leonard that she did not allow him out at night. “When I keep him in at night he sneaks out, climbs out the window,” she said.

She told the court that her son had left her home at about 4pm on Wednesday and she did not see him after that. “Sometimes he does not come home at all,” she also added.

She also said that he had not been in education since he was aged 12 and after new school place was found for him he would not go. Home tuition was organised for the teen but “he would not do it.”

She also said he “is taking tablets.”

Defence solicitor Gareth Noble said that his client had been getting psychiatric and psychological assistance. He told the court that he would make efforts to get reports from the professional practitioners who have treating the teenager.

Judge Leonard granted bail to the teenager on condition he obeyed a 9.30pm to 7am daily curfew and also ordered him stay sober.

The boy spoke up saying to the prosecuting garda “when have you ever stopped me with drink?”

However, Judge Leonard explained to him that being sober mean he must not abuse drugs as well as drink.

“I will direct gardaí to arrest for breaches,” she warned and told him to “stay quiet” when he began muttering.

He was remanded to appear again on a date in February and Judge Leonard also directed the attendance of a representative of the HSE and the National Education and Welfare Board to attend the case on the next date.