A Dublin youth who was allegedly “smirking and then ran off” after crashing into a car carrying two young children has been sent forward for trial.
The Dublin Children’s Court heard a boy and girl, aged 10 and six, were pulled from the wreckage by their father who was supposed to be celebrating his 40th birthday on the date of the collision with a stolen car.
It is alleged 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named because he is still a minor, caused more than €40,000 worth of damage. He also is charged with stealing a 2014 Skoda Octavia from a residence in Stamullen in Co Meath, on March 4th.
The Director of Public Prosecutions recommended trial on indictment, meaning the case should be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing power.
Judge John O’Connor also agreed that the case was too serious to be dealt with in the juvenile court.
The youth, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was served with book of evidence and Judge O’Connor directed that he was being returned for trial to the next term of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he is due to appear on October 13th next.
The teenager was remanded in custody pending trial. He also faces three counts of dangerous driving three days later at the Walshestown roundabout and at two locations on the R132 in north Co. Dublin, and he is accused of causing criminal damage.
The judge had heard submissions from the defence pleading for the case to be kept in the juvenile court but he was also given an outline of the allegations.
Garda Kate Daly Ni Bhroin told the juvenile court it was alleged the stolen car had been seen driving dangerously in the Balbriggan area and it also had false registration plates. She alleged the boy drove off at speed in areas where there were cyclists and pedestrians.
It was also claimed he overtook other vehicles where there were continuous white lines and “oncoming traffic had to swerve to avoid him”.
She said there was a traffic collision involving the stolen Skoda and a Kia Sportage which ended up rolled on its side and all its windows smashed. The children in the Kia were pulled out of the written-off SUV by their father and rushed to hospital but did not suffer any lasting injuries.
The incident happened on a day when the children’s father was supposed to be celebrating his 40th birthday, the court heard.
It was alleged that both vehicles were written-off at a total cost of €42,000 and Garda Daly Ni Bhroin said that when the boy was later arrested he made full admissions. However, counsel defending has told the juvenile court that the boy, who has not yet entered a plea, denies claims made by the children’s father that he was “smirking and then ran off” after the crash.