A teenage offender's bail was increased by the High Court yesterday. Mr Justice Quirke had been asked to reduce bail terms set for Glen Keegan (17) by the District Court. These were for the teenager's own bond of £100 and an independent surety of £500.
However, the judge increased the terms for Keegan, of no fixed address, to his own bond of £100 and an independent surety of £750.
Keegan had been sentenced by Judge Sean Delap to 19 months in St Patrick's Institution earlier this month.
He was given 10 months for the unauthorised taking of a car on July 25th; six months for having no insurance on September 13th; and a further three months for not turning up in court last April 11th.
During yesterday's hearing a garda said that 12 patrol cars had been involved when Keegan was arrested in an incident at Dunamore Crescent, Tallaght, Co Dublin, on September 19th, which involved a stolen car.
Garda John Hammond said a large, hostile crowd had gathered and had thrown bricks and bottles, trying to make good Keegan's escape. Two gardai had received injuries and had had to be treated in hospital. Keegan himself had to receive four staples in his head in Tallaght Hospital.
The garda added that Keegan's father had died last March. His mother was living in a hostel in New Street and Keegan had lived at several addresses in the Tallaght area.
Asked by Keegan's counsel, Mr Bernard Condon, whether it was true that Keegan's girlfriend was seven months pregnant, the garda said he believed she was pregnant.
In evidence, Keegan said he had left school at 15 and was unemployed. His mother had no chequebook but might be able to get together between £200 and £300. He said he would sign on at a Garda station twice a day if he received bail.
He had not appeared in court on a previous occasion because he was seeing a psychiatrist. He had met a garda the next day at a Garda station.
On another occasion he had not appeared because his girlfriend was sick.
Mr Justice Quirke said he was quite satisfied that Keegan was very unlikely to turn up in court if the terms were reduced. He increased the independent surety amount of the existing bail and said Keegan was to sign on daily at Kevin Street Garda station.