Boy in court after Finglas incidents

A 17-YEAR-old boy appeared at the Children's Court yesterday following his arrest in connection with an incident where a Garda…

A 17-YEAR-old boy appeared at the Children's Court yesterday following his arrest in connection with an incident where a Garda riot squad went into a Dublin housing estate where youths went on a rampage on St Patrick's Day.

The north Dublin boy, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, was charged with travelling as a passenger in a stolen car at Berryfield Drive, in Finglas, on St Patrick's night.

Garda Mathew Twomey told Judge Ann Ryan the boy made no reply after he was charged at Finglas Garda station.

The youth was then released on station bail to appear in the Children's Court yesterday morning. "Last night there was a large crowd of people in the station. It was for his own safety that he was released on bail," he said.

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He sought terms to be attached to the teenager's bail including a curfew that he be in his north Dublin home between 9pm and 7am as well as further conditions compelling him to remain sober and to stay out of the Finglas south area.

He told the court that the teenager was already on bail in relation to other matters.

Judge Ryan acceded to the Garda's request and imposed the bail conditions.

The boy, who is on a training course, spoke up during the brief proceedings saying "I am already on bail" and that he wanted the curfew to operate from 10pm.

He had not been accompanied to court by any family member and explained that "My dad could not make it, he's in work".

Judge Ryan warned him that a parent would have to be present on his next court appearance.

She granted legal aid and remanded the boy on bail to appear again next month for directions from the DPP to be obtained.