A 16-year-old youth charged with the murder of schoolboy Alan Higgins, who died after he was attacked and robbed last October, was released from custody yesterday after his grandmother stood bail for him.
Three boys, all aged 16, were remanded to St Patrick's Institution last week after the Dublin Children's Court heard that charges of manslaughter had been changed to those of murder.
Judge Mary Collins heard at the Dublin Children's Court yesterday that the High Court on Monday had granted bail to them which they were yet to take up. The youngest, who was 15 at the time of the alleged incident, was approved for bail in the High Court on Monday, but an independent surety had to be approved in his case, the court heard.
Judge Collins was told that, subject to the court's approval, the youth's grandmother would stand bail for him.
The independent surety had been set in the sum of €5,000, and the woman handed her bank book in to the court to show that she had that amount. She then gave an undertaking that she understood she would be liable for that amount should the boy breach his bail conditions. The bail bond stated that he must obey a curfew, reside in his family home and sign on daily at Coolock Garda station.