A 16-year-old youth alleged to have been offered money by the press for an interview was ordered to be detained in custody until his 19th birthday by Judge Sean Delap in Balbriggan District Court yesterday.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was before the court in relation to charges of taking a car without permission, driving without insurance or a driving licence, and escaping while in lawful custody at Trinity House School, Oberstown, Lusk, Co Dublin. All the offences occurred on January 14th, 1997.
Through his solicitor, Mr Garret Sheehan, the youth apologised to the court.
A witness from Trinity House told Judge Delap that the youth had completed his Junior Certificate exam and was waiting for the results. He was well behaved within Trinity House. However, it was felt that he could not be offered "mobility trips" because of his behaviour.
A report from the Probation and Welfare Services was given to the judge, who described the offences as serious. He said that the youth had used people from outside who were his relatives. He had assaulted a prison officer and had taken a car to go to Drogheda.
Judge Delap said that anyone with a modicum of sense could recognise the defendant and would have no difficulty in knowing who he was. It was alleged that the press had offered money to him to give an interview. "I feel his actions were glorified in the press."
He ordered that the youth be detained at Lusk until his 19th birthday, on August 14th, 2000, and set terms for appeal.