Teenagers to face trial for alleged mugging of stroke survivor

Two teenage boys, who are alleged to have violently mugged a 52-year-old stroke survivor and left him for dead, have been sent forward for trial.

It has been claimed that, in the lead-up to the robbery, the two 16-year-olds followed the victim as he travelled on buses in Dublin on April 8th. The youths, who cannot be named, were served with books of evidence yesterday when they appeared at the Dublin Children's Court. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin made an order sending them forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

Case too grave

They will face their next hearing on October 17th.

Earlier it had been held the case was too serious for the city’s juvenile court. It had been told the man, who had survived a stroke two years ago, had been on the number 16 bus. Also on the bus were the pair alleged to have followed him when he alighted at O’Connell Street. He then took the 46A bus to Booterstown and sat on a disabled passengers’ seat. It has been alleged they took the same bus.

Det Garda Denis Sheahan had said the subsequent incident happened at 11.50pm on April 8th, after the man got off the 46A and was confronted at Booterstown Avenue. His briefcase was robbed and it was alleged “he was struck to the left side of his head causing severe swelling and bruising”.

‘Feared for his life’

He “feared for his life during the course of the robbery” and Det Garda Sheahan had said the alleged robbers “showed no regard for the condition of the injured party”.

The man was hospitalised and will have to undergo another operation. The detective said the victim was “physically disabled as a result of a stroke two years previously”.

Defence barrister Damian McKeone pleaded for the Children’s Court to retain jurisdiction. He had said his clients were not mature, had little English and had lived from begging since they came here about 2½ years ago. But it was held the case was too serious and jurisdiction was refused.