Youth sent for trial over alleged gang robbery of Brazilian man

A Dublin youth has been sent forward for trial over a gang robbery in which a Brazilian man was allegedly chased before he was dragged to the ground and beaten.

The 17-year-old has been charged at the Children's Court with robbery of €600 from the man, at Herberton Walk, in south Dublin, on October 31 last. However, it had been held that the case was too serious to be dealt with in the juvenile court and should be sent to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

The teenager, who is on bail, was accompanied to his case by his mother when he was served with a book of evidence. Judge Ann Ryan then made an order sending him forward for trial at the present term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

In an outline of the allegations, Garda Kevin Lawless had told the Children's Court earlier that a number of youths were involved in the robbery.

It would be alleged that the man was chased but was “cut off” by the boy. “He was attacked, dragged to the ground and his pockets run through,” Gda Lawless had said.

It was alleged that €600 which had been rent money was taken from the Brazilian who had only been in the country a few weeks.

Gda Lawless had also said it would be alleged that the boy kicked the man after he was knocked to the ground.

Counsel defending pleaded for the case to be kept in the case in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

The boy's lawyer had said earlier that the teen had been a good student in school and wanted to go to university but had “fell in with a certain type of individual”.

Two other youths are also awaiting Circuit Court trial in connection with the robbery.