A youth, who attacked two teenage boys, leaving one with bite marks on his arm and ear, lost control after they verbally abused him and called him a "knacker", a court heard yesterday.
The 16-year-old, who is a Traveller, was never in any trouble with the law until two boys from a "privileged background" called him a knacker as he travelled on a bus, the Dublin Children's Court heard. The youth admitted yesterday that he had never lost control in that way before.
Judge Mary Collins had heard earlier that the youth had pleaded guilty to assaulting the two 15-year-old boys, causing them harm on the Brennanstown Road, Cabinteely, Dublin, last March.
The court had heard how a verbal exchange on a bus between the victims and the youth and his party escalated into the attack. The victims had got off at their bus stop but were followed by the youth and his friend. The youth then attacked the two boys.
Photographic evidence of their injuries had shown that one was left with teeth marks on his arm and on his right ear. The second boy had been punched and was left with a bruised face and bloody nose.
The youth had accepted responsibility for the attack at the earliest opportunity, firstly by making a full cautioned statement to the gardaí, admitting his role and then in court by pleading guilty at an early stage.
Judge Collins had considered imposing a nine-month sentence in detention for the attacks. However, she noted yesterday that an extremely favourable report from the probation services had been given to the court. The youth had also come to court with all his savings, €400, to show his remorse and promised to find more money to try to compensate his victims.
Judge Collins said she was sympathetic, but told the boy that he "should not have taken the law into his own hands". Noting the positive reports on the youth's subsequent behaviour and his remorse, she said she would adjourn sentencing. The case is adjourned until October.