Youth, 17, gets community service for 'rage-filled' attack on lesbian couple

Judge Paul Kelly told the teenager he was 'very lucky to be walking out of here today' after the attack in which the women sustained 'horrible injuries' and had suffered psychologically

The Children's Court in Smithfield, Dublin. Judge Paul Kelly noted the ongoing consequences for them, adding, 'It has affected how they behave in public, and that is extremely unacceptable”.

A youth who carried out a “rage-filled” and suspected hate attack on a lesbian couple has been spared a custodial sentence and ordered to carry out community service.

The boy, aged 17, attacked the couple, inflicting “horrible injuries”, after seeing them cuddling and showing “a modicum of affection” at a bus shelter in Dublin.