A TEENAGE boy has admitted holding a young woman against her will in her own home as her partner was brought out at knife-point to get money from bank machines.
A house on Botanic Avenue in north Dublin was ransacked on April 27th and one of the occupants, a 21-year-old man, was taken away in his car to withdraw money from ATMs before he escaped.
A 16-year-old boy, who is in care, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday to burglary, robbery and false imprisonment charges in connection with the incident.
Garda Sgt Denis O’Callaghan, of Mountjoy station, told Judge Clare Leonard that five people pushed their way into the couple’s home. The man was brought out at knife-point to get money from ATMs while two youths, including the accused, who was not armed, stayed with the woman, who is also in her early 20s.
The court heard the teenager had a minor role in the incident and, following submissions from the defence, the judge decided the case should stay in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
A guardian ad litemappointed to the boy, told Judge Leonard that the boy is remorseful over his involvement. She said he had been involved in self-harm and "suicidal ideation". The guardian said the teenager's actions during the raid were out of character and that he had come under the influence of another youth also in the care system at the time.
The court heard the teenager had been through a number of care placements, two foster homes and had at one point been homeless. However, he has accepted help and is attending counselling and psychotherapy.
The court also heard he had a traumatic childhood but had never presented a problem to care staff.
A childcare worker from the care facility where the teenager resides also gave evidence. She said the boy had come under the influence of another youth who had previously resided there.
The boy had been experimenting with hash but, as a result of the presence of the other youth, the care home was “filled with tablets”.
She also said his involvement in the raid was “completely out of character” and that he had expressed remorse for his victims.
The childcare worker said the boy was never aggressive to other care staff. She said that during the raid the teenager had told the female victim “Just relax and do not do anything. And would you like a cup of tea?”
Defence solicitor Sarah Molloy said it was conceded that the teenager had been involved in a very serious offence and that he understood his victims had been traumatised. She asked the judge to note the evidence of the boy's guardian ad litemand the care worker.
The court also heard that the teenager, who has no previous criminal convictions, has enrolled in a training course and has not come to further Garda attention.
Judge Leonard adjourned sentencing the teenager until a date in February to allow for a probation report on him to be obtained.
As a condition of bail, he has been ordered to obey a curfew at his care accommodation.
Three other youths are awaiting Circuit Court trial on robbery and false imprisonment charges in connection with the burglary.