Ennis youth charged over death of 14-year-old boy

A 17-year-old Ennis youth yesterday appeared in court in connection with the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy at the weekend.

On Saturday night Michael Doherty, a settled Traveller, died from a stab wound sustained during an incident outside Supermacs fast food restaurant on O'Connell Street, Ennis.

A 17-year-old male was arrested shortly afterwards and appeared at Gort District Court yesterday charged in connection with the incident.

The youth - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is charged with producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of a dispute or fight, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 at O'Connell Street in Ennis on June 23rd.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Lisa McDonagh told the court that when cautioned, the youth replied: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to harm anybody."

Prior to Judge Joseph Mangan's hearing of the case, gardaí cleared the courtroom of people not connected with the case. Relatives of Michael Doherty asked that they be allowed to remain in court for the hearing.

Darragh Hassett, solicitor for the 17-year-old, said he had no objection to that provided that tensions were kept to a very low level.

Judge Mangan responded: "That goes without saying," and allowed the relatives to remain.

Supt John Scanlan of Ennis Garda station told the court that the charge related to "a grave matter where a young man lost his life".

The youth - wearing a shirt, striped green and grey jumper and jeans - sat at the front of the court for the five-minute hearing. His parents and sister sat in the row behind him.

Applying for legal aid for the youth, Mr Hassett said that his client was a student and had no previous convictions.

The defence solicitor also said he would be applying for bail and that gardaí had said they had no objections.

Mr Hassett said that he would also be seeking copies of all statements and custody records in relation to the case.

In response, Supt Scanlan said that a considerable number of statements would be required for the Director of Public Prosecutions to make a direction in the case and that a book of evidence would be required, which would contain all the statements.

He said that gardaí had no objection to bail and were not looking for signing-on conditions.

Supt Scanlan asked that the youth lodge his own bail of €1,000, an independent surety of €1,000 and a bond of €1,000.

Judge Mangan remanded the youth on bail to re-appear before Ennis District Court, next Friday, June 29th.