*The teenager is also facing burglary charges for two incidents in Sixmilebridge. Photograph: Joe Buckley
A JUDGE has ordered the detention of a 16 year old ‘innocent looking’ Co Clare boy after stating that a teenage co-accused “is lucky to be alive after rolling a car at a speed of 180km per hour on the motorway – allegedly”.
At the Children’s Court in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett remanded the 16 year to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus at Lusk in Co Dublin after commenting “I am very frightened for his life such is the concern I have for him”.
Judge Gabbett said that the 16-year old is accused of “significant offending” before the court and that he has remanded him on bail on a daily basis since last Friday.
He said that the boy obtained bail after agreeing to very serious bail conditions.
He said that the boy has wholeheartedly breached the bail conditions where there have been nine breaches of curfew since April 23rd and 18 days of no sign at his Garda Station.
Judge Gabbett said that of more concern is that the boy had contact on three occasions with his 18 year old co-accused in the case which was another breach of bail.
Judge Gabbett said that the co-accused is now in custody and “is lucky to be alive today as he rolled a car at 180kmph on the motorway – allegedly”.
Judge Gabbett said that the 16 year old “needs to go to school and get straightened out and the best place for him at the moment is a detention centre”.
Judge Gabbett said, “This case is on roller skates now and it is moving”.
Solicitor, Tara Godfrey, for the teenager – accompanied to court by his mother – asked Judge Gabbett not to revoke bail.
She said that her client is to contest the charges and she said that it is her belief that the State cannot succeed in the case.
The teenager is charged with on December 25th 2024 of trespassing on Jamie’s Butcher, Main Street, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare to attempt to commit theft contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In the second burglary charge, the boy is also charged on the same day of trespassing at Blush Beauty Salon, Main Street, Sixmilebridge and attempting to commit theft.
In a previous appearance at the Children’s Court in Ennis, the 16 year old accused told Judge Gabbett, “I was brought into the Garda Station and questioned for hours and hours and hours. They don’t have one bit of proof against anything at all – they are just trying to pin these on me when it is not me”.
Judge Gabbett remanded the teenager in detention to Oberstown to appear before Ennis District Court on June 18th.
