Teen released on probation for role in shooting
A 16-year-old boy, who was involved in a shooting at a Traveller halting site in Dublin, has been sentenced to six months' supervised probation.
The north Dublin teen pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver and possessing the firearm but denied discharging it at Porterstown Road, in Blanchardstown, on September 11, 2008, when he was aged 15.
His case had been adjourned until today for a pre-sentence report to be furnished. Judge Bryan Smyth imposed a six-month probation bond on the boy, who was accompanied to his hearing by his parents.
The bond means that the teenager must follow directions of the Probation Service and engage in activities recommended by them to divert him from crime.
Judge Smyth warned the boy that if he failed to comply with the terms of the probation bond, the case would be brought back to court where, he added, there would be “a good prospect of you getting a sentence.”
The teen had originally been accused of firing the gun which he had denied but that charge was later substituted with another for possessing the weapon, which he admitted.
He also pleaded guilty to related charges for dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance, in connection with the incident.
Giving evidence, Garda Ciaran Campbell had told the court earlier that he responded to a report of a shooting which had been observed by an off-duty Garda sergeant who followed a car driven by the teen.
Garda Campbell had said he came across the teen driving the car, which also had a male passenger, at the Ongar Distributor Road.
During a five-mile pursuit the teenager repeatedly broke red lights and “drove on the wrong side of the road at high speed".
Other vehicles including a bus had to either take evasive action or brake heavily to avoid being hit by the teenager.
The boy overtook backed up traffic, at the Castlecurragh Road, in north Dublin, when he lost control and skidded into a kerb. He continued driving into the Warrenstown Estate, in Blanchardstown and abandoned the car at a cul-de-sac.
He and his passenger were arrested following a foot chase. A single-barrel shotgun and cartridges were found in a bag in the foot well at the front passenger side of the car.
Garda Campbell had also told the court that the shot came from the passenger side of the car.
