A DISTRICT Court judge commented yesterday that most young people who get into trouble with the law have “a notion that it is all about them and that the world and life is about what they want”.
Judge Flann Brennan was hearing cases against a number of teenagers in Drogheda court.
In the case of a 15-year-old who has breached a curfew 19 times since it was set by the court on November 12th last, Judge Brennan remanded him in custody until January 5th. The teenager faces 12 charges of theft, criminal damage and burglary at various locations in Drogheda.
One of the offences is burglary of an Educate Together school at Aston Village in Drogheda. His solicitor said the boy had told him he “doesn’t care what you do”. As he went into detention until his next court date, he held up his middle finger at the judge.
In the case of a 17-year-old who last week had made inappropriate comments at two of his female teachers, Judge Brennan said: “He has no respect for anyone at all, that’s the whole problem.” He is charged with burglary in Drogheda on the August 5th last. Judge Brennan said: “He thinks it’s all one big joke. It’s just bad behaviour, just bad behaviour pure and simple.” He remanded him to a detention centre until January 5th.
Another 17-year-old who is making progress with the Probation Service was remanded on bail until February. A 16-year-old charged with assault causing harm also had his case put back after his solicitor said he had spent three days in custody.
It was “a shock to his system but it had the desired effect” his solicitor said. The youth is now prepared to re-engage with the Probation Service and as Judge Brennan moved to adjourn the case until next year, a discussion arose about where the teenager would live.
The judge said the “whole problem with him and all the others who were here in court is that all they understand in life is what they want. The whole problem with nine out of 10 young people who get into trouble with the law is this notion they have that it is all about them and that the world and life is all about what they want. ”