Teenage boy placed under supervision and directed to stay out of Navan Retail Park

A 16 year-old boy from Navan before Trim District Court on 62 counts for different offences, pleaded guilty to three separate assaults, one of which related to a man who was assaulted with a brick.

His barrister Paul Noctor explained that the boy was not the main culprit involved in the incident. He followed in behind and struck the victim a number of times.

Judge Ciaran Liddy said the defendant accumulated a “remarkable” number of charges but he had endeavoured to mend his ways. He was happy to follow the recommendation of the probation officer and place him under a supervision bond. He directed the defendant to follow all the conditions set out in a probation report and that he stay out of Navan Retail Park (top right), especially Applegreen.

The Judge warned him if he breached the bond the probation service he would have liberty to bring back the case to court and he would receive 12 months detention. He also granted an order for the destruction of substances in respect of which the defendant was also charged.

Sergeant Brady outlined that the incident involving the brick occurred on 11th February 2024. The victim attended the cinema with his girl friend. An altercation occurred and the victim was followed by a male and three others. The victim suffered injuries to his head and ribs. A cut on his head required three stitches and glue. The defendant was identified on CCTV and he struck the victim multiple times on the face.

The Sergeant recalled the circumstances of a second assault in Navan by the boy on 12th December the same year. The victim attended a restaurant at Trimgate Street with his family. He became involved in a verbal dispute with youths. One struck him with his closed fist to the nose. The defendant was identified by Gardai on CCTV as the primary culprit.

The Sergeant said the other incident was on 13th March the same year at Maxol, Flowerhill. The defendant slapped the victim in this instance across the face. He was again identified on CCTV.

Mr Noctor said the defendant had a difficult upbringing. He had previous convictions but engaged fully with the Probation Service and was doing extremely well.

He attended an educational placement and when finished would receive a qualification which will allow him to take up an apprenticeship. Mr Noctor said the defendant seemed to have turned his life around.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme