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Irish Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Teen born in prison learns fate after stealing €360 worth of clothes
A youth described as 'failed by the State' – born in prison, predisposed to addiction from infancy, and having spent his life in care – has been spared a custodial sentence for theft. The harrowing background was revealed when the now 18-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing €360 worth of clothes from a sportswear outlet in Tallaght, Dublin, on November 24 last. He cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence and a juvenile when charged. At the Dublin Children's Court sentence hearing, Martin Dwan BL, defending, referred to the contents of a pre-sentence probation report and another from his guardian ad litem (GAL), a specialist appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a child in legal proceedings. Counsel detailed the teen's background, telling Judge Brendan Toale that the youth had been born in prison because his mother had been in custody and had serious addiction issues. He was also born with foetal alcoholism, and Mr Dwan emphasised the youth's "tragic start in life", likening it to a "heavy millstone around his neck". From infancy, he was in care, but at the age of six, he was placed in a foster home with a family, remaining there for a decade, where he had "stability and a good nurturing life". However, the youth was "taken out" of that placement and later relocated to care homes around the country, lacking parental guidance. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Mr Dwan quoted another judge, who dealt with one of the youth's earlier cases, that he was "absolutely failed by the State in that regard". An eleventh-hour GAL report was drafted when he turned 18 and reached adulthood, as Tusla implemented an aftercare plan. The youth listened intently but did not address the proceedings. The court heard that due to his mother's drinking problems, the teen was predisposed to addiction. Mr Dwan elaborated about how the teen went on to attend child and adolescent mental health services with issues including PTSD. The court heard that some problems coincided with the ending of his long-term foster placement; the teenager connected with his family and started to come to garda attention, while abusing alcohol and drugs, which he had a predisposition to from birth. At one stage, the substance abuse induced psychosis, resulting in the teen being hospitalised. Judge Toale noted the pre-sentence report assessed the young man as being at moderate risk of reoffending. He also noted the contents of the GAL report and what he termed the "extraordinary background" to the case, and placed the teenager on supervised probation for six months. During that time, he must not reoffend and must comply with the directions of his probation officer to divert him from further offending; otherwise, the case could be reopened and a harsher penalty considered. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
14-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dublin machine gun raid teen waiting for DPP trial decision
The boy, alogside his co-accused who skipped court last month, are both aged 17. A youth accused of being armed with a machine gun during a violent burglary in Dublin was remanded on continuing bail today pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). A warrant is still out for the arrest of his teenage co-accused, who skipped court last month. The pair, both aged 17, were initially denied bail on June 14 but were released because, at that time, the Oberstown Detention Campus in Dublin had no room to accommodate the two youths, despite a judge's decision. One of the boys skipped court two days later while his co-accused was ordered to obey conditions and was remanded until today at the Dublin Children's Court. Judge Toale noted that gardaí needed more time to get a decision from the DPP on the case and ordered the teenager, who was supported in court by family members, to come back on a date in September. Court stock image. News in 90 Seconds - Monday July 14th A bail hearing last month was told that a 60-year-old man was "savagely" beaten in front of his terrified family when machine gun-armed intruders forced entry into their home in Shankill, Co Dublin, on June 11. They are accused of aggravated burglary and unlawful possession of a Czech-made 9mm Skorpian machine pistol. The boys, from north Dublin, cannot be named because they are minors. The teenager, who has yet to enter a plea, must obey a 10 pm – 6 am curfew at his home, stay contactable by phone, remain out of the Shankill area, and not contact witnesses. He has had to surrender his passport within 48 hours and is not permitted to apply for alternative travel documents. Two adults are also before the courts on connected charges. At their bail hearings last month, Garda witnesses stated the four acted in joint enterprise. It was alleged that the two masked teens, wearing puffer jackets, travelled to the house on an e-bike, while two men arrived by car. The teenager who was back in court yesterday/today was said to have had a black face cover and approached the house. It was claimed that he removed the gun from the front of his trousers and "pointed" it at the family through the window. The boys allegedly "forced" their way through the front door while a man came through a rear entrance and "savagely" beat one of the occupants. The second boy allegedly used boxer shorts as a balaclava and left with the gun on an e-bike. A civilian witness was said to have observed him discarding it before he allegedly drove onto the M50, where he crashed between Junction 12 and 13 and was arrested.
Sunday World
02-07-2025
- Sunday World
Teens ‘completely destroyed' brand new sensory room in Dublin for children with autism
A 15-year-old schoolboy pleaded guilty to burglary of the River Valley Community Centre, Swords, which was ransacked on August 18, 2023 Teenagers completely destroyed a brand new sensory room in Dublin for children with autism, which was "trashed" a week before its unveiling, a court has heard. A 15-year-old schoolboy pleaded guilty to burglary of the River Valley Community Centre, Swords, which was ransacked on August 18, 2023. Sentencing was adjourned at the Dublin Children's Court on Tuesday pending the preparation of a pre-sanction report. Judge Shalom Binchy saw a list of the damaged specialised fixtures and fittings: padded door and wall, foam materials, an ocean effect projector, balls, a sensory tube, a mirror, steps, a railing, and other items in the room. Garda Jordan Martin described the scene afterwards as "completely destroyed, it was trashed". The court heard the four youths had gone when gardai went to the centre at 9.40 pm and saw a door had been opened. Garda Martin said it had been recently refurbished with a new sensory room for children with autism from the locality. CCTV evidence from the building led to the identification of the accused, then aged 13, and three other boys who gained entry by force; however, there was no footage from inside the sensory room. Garda Martin said they were responsible for substantial damage, which cost €12,178 to repair. The room was due to be unveiled the following week, but that had to be delayed. Defence solicitor Brian Keenan acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, which he added was aggravated by the fact that it was a facility for children who needed it the most. The teenager did not give evidence, but his solicitor said he was apologetic and was pleading guilty. Mr Keenan pleaded with the judge not to send the case to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers, and to note his age and level of maturity at the time were important factors. He asked the judge to note that the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended the case be dealt with in the Children's Court, which could consider a maximum one-year term, and which Mr Keenan argued was sufficient to deal with the case. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile with the legal right to anonymity, accepted that he "pulled at" some items in the room. The court heard he was still in school, keeping his head down, not coming to Garda attention, and was engaging with a social care services provider in Dublin. The other boys involved in the incident avoided a court prosecution after being found eligible for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, which aims to prevent young offenders and children involved in anti-social behaviour from reoffending. However, the defendant was not suitable for that approach and was charged. Dublin Children's Court Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 2nd Judge Binchy accepted jurisdiction due to his age at the time, his guilty plea and how gardai dealt with the other participants. The boy, accompanied to court by his father and a family support worker, was remanded on bail to appear again later this month. Judge Binchy stressed that it was a very serious matter and expected full compliance from the teenager who was referred to the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence report.
The Journal
01-07-2025
- The Journal
Teen pleads guilty after sensory room for autistic children 'trashed' a week before opening
TEENAGERS COMPLETELY DESTROYED a brand new sensory room in Dublin for autistic children, which was 'trashed' a week before its unveiling, a court has heard. A 15-year-old schoolboy pleaded guilty to burglary of the River Valley Community Centre, Swords, which was ransacked on 18 August 2023. Sentencing was adjourned at the Dublin Children's Court today pending the preparation of a pre-sanction report. Judge Shalom Binchy saw a list of the damaged specialised fixtures and fittings: padded door and wall, foam materials, an ocean effect projector, balls, a sensory tube, a mirror, steps, a railing, and other items in the room. Garda Jordan Martin described the scene afterwards as 'completely destroyed, it was trashed'. The court heard the four youths were gone when gardaí went to the centre at 9.40pm and saw a door had been opened. Martin said it had been recently refurbished with a new sensory room for autistic children from the locality. CCTV evidence from the building led to the identification of the accused, then aged 13, and three other boys who gained entry by force; however, there was no footage from inside the sensory room. Garda Martin said they were responsible for substantial damage, which cost €12,178 to repair. The room was due to be unveiled the following week, but that had to be delayed. Advertisement Defence solicitor Brian Keenan acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, which he added was aggravated by the fact that it was a facility for children who needed it the most. The teenager did not give evidence, but his solicitor said he was apologetic and was pleading guilty. Keenan pleaded with the judge not to send the case to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers, and to note his age and level of maturity at the time were important factors. He asked the judge to note that the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended the case be dealt with in the Children's Court, which could consider a maximum one-year term, and which Keenan argued was sufficient to deal with the case. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile with the legal right to anonymity, accepted that he 'pulled at' some items in the room. The court heard he was still in school, keeping his head down, not coming to Garda attention, and was engaging with a social care services provider in Dublin. The other boys involved in the incident avoided a court prosecution after being found eligible for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, which aims to prevent young offenders and children involved in anti-social behaviour from reoffending. However, the defendant was not suitable for that approach and was charged. Judge Binchy accepted jurisdiction due to his age at the time, his guilty plea and how gardai dealt with the other participants. The boy, accompanied to court by his father and a family support worker, was remanded on bail to appear again later this month. Judge Binchy stressed that it was a very serious matter and expected full compliance from the teenager who was referred to the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence report.
The Journal
27-06-2025
- The Journal
Teenage boy charged with attempted rape of woman in Dublin pub
A TEENAGE BOY is to face trial accused of sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a woman in a Dublin pub. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Brendan Toale at the Dublin Children's Court after gardai received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. He faces two counts of attempted rape and one for sexual assault of the same named female on a date last year when he was aged 16. Judge Toale heard he made no reply when charged, and there was no garda objection to bail with conditions. Defence solicitor Martin O'Donnell informed the judge that his client had consented to sign on at a Garda station once a week and that he had no contact with the alleged injured party. Advertisement The teen was also ordered to hand over his passport to gardai. The court heard the DPP-directed trial on indictment, and due to the nature of the allegation, the youth will face trial in the Central Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers. He will appear again at the Children's Court in July to be served with the prosecution's book of evidence and returned for trial. Mr O'Donnell said he understood it was 'more or less ready'. Legal aid was granted to the teenager who was accompanied to court by family members. No evidence about the incident was given in the juvenile court, which does not have the power to consider accepting jurisdiction for the case.
