Youth may face Circuit Court for crash with Cowen escort car

A schoolboy could face trial before a Circuit Court judge and jury over an incident in which a Garda Special Branch car escorting Taoiseach Brian Cowen was struck by stolen vehicle.

Two detectives, who were not injured in the collision in Dublin, 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 17-year-old west Dublin teenager, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, was charged last month in connection with the incident at the Children's Court with stealing a car at St John's Road West, in Dublin 8.

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.

The case resumed today at the Children's Court and Judge Clare Leonard asked to hear an outline of the prosecution evidence to determine the issue of jurisdiction.

Garda Cathal McNamara said it was alleged the then 16-year-old boy stole a car and a “traffic pursuit ensued” which ended in Ballyfermot.

During the chase it was alleged that a “vehicle was smashed into, causing considerable damage, but no injuries”.

Judge Leonard said she would refuse jurisdiction meaning the case would go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

She noted that the teenager had not come before the courts previously and added that “he came in with a bang”.

However, she deferred finalising her decision on the issue of jurisdiction for four weeks to allow the defence make submissions under section 75 of the Children Act pleading for the case to be retained in the juvenile court.

This part of the legislation allows that court discretion to deal with a case involving a minor facing serious allegations by taking their age and level of maturity into consideration.

The teenager, who was accompanied to his case by a relative and was mostly reared by extended family, was remanded on continuing bail.

The judge also granted an order sought by defence solicitor Gareth Noble for disclosure of the prosecution evidence including all statements taken in the investigation.