No accommodation to detain juvenile charged with assault

A 16-year-old youth who appeared at Trim District Court on a charge of alleged assault causing harm on another male was the subject of an objection by Gardai to his release on bail.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with the assault following an incident at Beauparc on 5th of this month. He appeared in custody before Judge Deirdre Gearty at the court.

A solicitor for the Child and Family Agency told Judge Gearty that there was no accommodation available for the youth at present. In the meantime, if he was released on bail he could contact Gardai and he could be accommodated on an emergency basis. Various other attempts would be made to get accommodation.

“Every effort is being and will be made to accommodate him. That is going to take time,” the solicitor said.

Court presenter Sergeant Kevin Moroney “This is a serious matter. The victim is likely to lose an eye”. Due to the present situation he would be objecting to bail.

A solicitor for the youth said that the Child and Family Agency was in loco parentis for the youth. Under the arrangements described by the solicitor for the Child and Family Agency his client could be kept in a Garda cell but that would be unsatisfactory. He had already been granted bail by a court and this new objection to bail was not a valid objection, he said.

Under the suggested arrangements he would have to go to a Garda station on a nightly basis, and the Gardai would then have to contact Tusla on his behalf. His client had not been convicted of any crime.

Judge Gearty remanded the youth in custody for one week with consent to bail. She said it was up to the CFA to find accommodation for the accused.