Dublin People - Teen's gun crime too serious for children's court

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Teen's gun crime too serious for children's court

Friday, 20 June 2008

A 16-year-old boy arrested for holding up a shop while armed with an imitation handgun, has been sent forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Psychiatric reports are being sought to determine whether the boy is fit to plead and the case against him should proceed.
The North Dublin teenager had been charged at the Children’s Court with the robbery of a shop in Finglas on a date in September last year. He has also been charged under the Firearms Act for production of an imitation handgun on the same date.
Earlier, a judge at the Children’s Court held that the case was too serious to be heard there and should be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court which, on conviction, can impose lengthier sentences.
In an outline of the allegations, Garda Simon Warnock, of Finglas station, had said the accused entered the shop with a hood over his head and face.
“He produced the imitation firearm then leaned over the counter and took e100 from the till,” the Garda said.
One member of staff was at the counter and two others were also working in the shop at the time. Numerous customers were also present during the alleged incident.
The teenager, who was accompanied to court by his parents, appeared again at the Children’s Court last week where Judge Patrick McMahon made an order sending the case forward to the present term of the Circuit Court.
Mr John Quinn, defence solicitor, said the issue of fitness to plead would be raised.
Mr Quinn had said earlier: “It has emerged he has mental difficulties and has been assessed by experts.”
The teen’s mother added: “I am six years fighting for him. For a long time we knew he was not like any other child. Eventually we got someone to see him and we were told ‘Yes, you are right’.”
Judge McMahon also remanded the teenager, who is on bail, to appear again at the Children’s Court in October in relation to alleged criminal damage offences.

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