Mug-rap teen put under curfew to await trial
A 16-year-old boy arrested for trying to rob two French tourists while armed with a flick-knife, has been ordered to obey a 7pm to 7am curfew, by Judge John Coughlan at the Dublin Children’s Court.
The boy has been charged with attempted robbery and possessing the knife, at the Millennium Walk, in Dublin city-centre, on the night of November 14 last.
Detective Garda Caroline Lynch, of Whitehall station, said it was alleged that “the accused approached two French nationals and asked for a cigarette.”
"He pulled out a flick-knife and put it to one man’s throat and demanded all his money.”
It was further alleged the second man tried to help but the boy turned his knife on him too and swiped it at him before fleeing the scene.
When arrested shortly after in Arbour Hill in Dublin the teen was found in possession of a flick-knife and his clothing matched descriptions the gardaí had received. He was detained for questioning and made admission, Garda Lynch added.
Judge Coughlan held that the case was too serious to be dealt with in the Children’s Court and should instead be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which, on conviction, can impose lengthier sentences.
He remanded the teenager on bail to appear again in May when he is to be served with the book of evidence in the case and returned for trial.
In the meantime Judge Coughlan set strict bail conditions on the unemployed north Dublin teenager, who was accompanied to court by his mother.
The teen was barred from being in the Dublin 1 area, where the alleged offence occurred.
He then proceeded to attach a curfew to the bail bond saying: “I suggest 7pm to 7am.”
Defence solicitor John Quinn submitted that the commencement hour of the curfew seemed early to which the judge replied: “not early enough.”
He included the curfew and warned the boy: “If you breach the condition, I will put you away; I don’t want any whinging, you will go away. Have you got the message?”
The teen, who now must be indoors at his home daily for that twelve-hour period, indicated that he understood and was remanded on bail to appear again in five weeks.
