Teen beat up man in front of kids

A teenage boy who beat up a man in front of two small children during a daylight robbery in Dublin city-centre has been spared a custodial sentence.

The boy, aged 17, had pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to assault and robbery of the man on Parnell Street, on April 6 last year. His case was adjourned until today for a pre-sentence probation report on him to be furnished to the court.

Defence solicitor Adrian Lennon told Judge Bryan Smyth that his client had one remaining case for public order charges which is due back in court next month.

He added that his client, who was accompanied to his case by his mother, “wants to draw a line under it and continue the good work.”

Judge Smyth said the boy's case was a serious matter but noted that he had not come to garda attention recently. He imposed a six month probation bond on the boy.

The teenager was warned that the conditions of the bond meant he must continue to attend appointments with his probation officer to address his offending behaviour and “victim awareness”.

The teenage boy, who had no prior criminal convictions, was also told he had to get into a training course or employment and warned that if be broke the terms of the bond, the case would be brought back to court for sentencing.

Garda PJ Gallagher had told Judge Smyth that the man (aged 35) had been with a woman and two children, aged two and four. He was using his mobile phone when a 15-year-old accomplice approached him from behind “and struck him a number of times.”

The man received several blows to his upper body and face from both boys, and as he fell to the ground the defendant grabbed his phone from his hand.

As they fled they discarded their jackets and tried to hide but were arrested within minutes.

Garda Gallagher said the man was traumatised but did not need hospital care.