Youth accused of Lambert Puppet Theatre arson further remanded

A 16 year old accused of carrying out an arson attack at the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Dublin has been further remanded in custody pending direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

It is estimated €150,000 worth of damage was caused to the venue founded in 1972 by Eugene Lambert and now run by his son Liam.

The youth was refused bail after he appeared at Dublin Children’s Court last month charged with arson and burglary. When he appeared in court yesterday Judge John O’Connor granted a two-week adjournment for directions from the DPP to be obtained.

Garda Neil Doyle said they were not yet available because of the volume of evidence and the seriousness of the case.

The boy, who was accompanied to court by his parents and a barrister, has not entered a plea. Directions from the DPP are needed to help to decide if he should be tried in the juvenile court or be sent forward to the Circuit Court. Dublin Children’s Court has heard the boy was arrested at his home last week and “made no reply” when the charges were put to him.