Probation for teen who threatened TD with petrol-bomb attack
A 14-year-old boy, who threatened Fine Gael TD and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne that he would "petrol bomb her gaff" and "get her girls", has been released on probation for six months.
The Dublin South Central TD, who was elected to the Dáil on May 24 last and served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2005 to 2006, was subjected to a tirade of threats from the young boy after she left a community development meeting.
The young schoolboy pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court to engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace, under the Public Order Act, at Bulfin Road, south Dublin, on October 16 last.
Garda Inspector Paul Hogan, of Kilmainham Station, had said he had been at a meeting of the St Michael’s Estate regeneration board which Ms Byrne had also attended.
When the meeting ended, Ms Byrne, who is also a member of the Dublin City Council for the South West Inner City Ward, left shortly before Inspector Hogan.
"I met her on Bulfin Road where she told me that she had been threatened by the accused," Inspector Hogan said.
He told her: "I know where you live, I’ll petrol bomb your gaff, I’ll get your girls and get your car."
Inspector Hogan said Ms Byrne was upset by the teen as she had had her car stolen previously, but agreed that the teenager had not been involved in that.
The boy, a first time offender, was arrested after his outburst and remained silent when he was questioned in the Garda station. A statement of complaint was then taken from Ms Byrne.
The teen’s lawyer had said the boy’s mother "was disgusted by his behaviour because she felt the councillor does a lot of good work."
The boy had behaved stupidly, "needed to grow up" and "did not engage his brain before he spoke," his solicitor said.
The court was told that the boy, who was supported in court by his mother, hoped he would not receive a criminal conviction as that would affect his future employment hopes.
Inspector Hogan had also said: "I’m not sure how much was regretted, his mother had tried to guide him, time will tell."
Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin imposed the probation bond today after a positive welfare report on the teen was furnished to the court.
"At 14 it is very bad to be coming before the court. My advice to you is to stay out of trouble and stay in school," she said.
She also warned him that he had to co-operate fully with the Probation Service for six months and had to be of good behaviour.
"If you break the bond you will be brought back to court for sentencing," she added.
