A youth who had sex with a 13-year-old girl after getting her drunk was told yesterday that he faces detention.
The girl, now 14, had never drunk alcohol before and was left fearing pregnancy, the Central Criminal Court heard.
Mr Justice Carney adjourned sentence on the 16-year-old Co Carlow youth to February 25th to allow time for a psychological report.
He said sentencing and further hearing had been adjourned because the youth faced detention in St Patrick's Institution.
He allowed the defendant to remain on bail, but warned him not to contact the victim.
The teenager pleaded guilty to having unlawful carnal knowledge on June 6th, 1998.
Sgt Declan Callan told Mr Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, the girl had left her house to see a film.
She and two friends later met the defendant and another youth.
The defendant used a 19-year-old acquaintance to buy the vodka for him from an off-licence.
The boys followed the victim and her friends to a park.
Sgt Callan said the defendant had hardly known the victim. She had had a sheltered upbringing and it was one of her first times out with other youths.
The girl had never tasted alcohol and became "woozy" when the defendant gave it to her, the court heard.
Sgt Callan said that after the group separated, the defendant and the victim went to an area of the park surrounded by shrubbery.
The girl had little recollection of having sex with the defendant, the court heard.
She was dressed by girls who later found her while others made the "very drunk" defendant leave the park.
Gardai were called to take her home, and the victim became worried about pregnancy, the court heard. Sgt Callan said the defendant was arrested the next morning and admitted his guilt but had shown little remorse.