A teenage boy (16) who was a passenger in a sports car that killed two gardaí has pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges arising out of the incident.
The accused, who was 15 at the time, from Dublin's south inner city, admitted stealing a mobile phone, a set of car keys, two sets of house keys, a cheque and a wallet containing cash and bank and credit cards from an apartment at Bullock Harbour, Dalkey, on April 14th, 2002.
He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking possession of a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner and knowing that the vehicle had been stolen allowing himself to be carried in it on the same date. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
The accused and another youth, who was allegedly driving the stolen Mazda MX5, smashed into a patrol car on the Stillorgan dual carriageway and killed Garda Tony Tighe and Garda Michael Padden.
Mr Anthony Sammon SC, defending, told Judge Des Hogan that his client was serving a period of detention in Trinity House and asked that he be remanded there, otherwise he would be sent to St Patrick's Institution.
Mr Sammon said the youth was doing well in Trinity House and that he deserved the chance to continue his progress. Judge Hogan consented to the application.
Counsel added that because of the complex background to the case and the tragic deaths of Garda Tighe and Garda Padden, the evidence could take some time on the day.
Mr Fergal Foley BL said that it might be an appropriate case to order victim-impact reports on the families of the deceased gardaí because there would be no doubt that they have been left severely traumatised by the deaths.
Judge Hogan agreed and adjourned the case until January 22nd when evidence of the crimes would be given.
Mr Foley said the second youth had been charged with manslaughter and was due before the court on December 11th for arraignment.