A teenage boy has been spared a custodial sentence for taking part in violence during a Jobstown anti-water charges protest in 2014, during which Labour leader Joan Burton was allegedly trapped in her car for hours.
The 17-year-old was sentenced to 12-months’ supervised probation by Judge John O’Connor at the Dublin Children’s Court.
Ms Burton and her entourage were allegedly trapped in a car following a graduation ceremony on November 15th at an education facility in Jobstown in Tallaght, Dublin.
Gardaí allege violence broke out after anti-water charges protesters surrounded the car following the ceremony.
Twenty-four people, including Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, have faced a variety of serious charges arising out of the incident.
The teenager pleaded guilty to violent disorder charges.
He also admitted breaking a windscreen on a Garda car during confrontations between gardaí and protesters.
Judge’s comments
Judge O’Connor had noted the teenager did not face false imprisonment charges but said the incident would been a very frightening experience for the Tánaiste, who did not want to give a victim impact statement.
The judge also said the incident was an aggressive form of bullying and an attack on the State.
However, he also noted the youth was not politically motivated and had to be given credit for the guilty plea.