Bail denied for Kildare teenager who allegedly went on ‘crime-spree’
GARDA TESTIMONY
Bail was denied for a teenage boy at Naas District Court on Thursday, March 23, who was accused of carrying out a 'crime-spree' in Kildare.
The boy was allegedly part of a group of two other boys who stood accused of committing of robbery offences, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and dangerous driving.
It was heard that the teenagers were allegedly armed with a samurai sword, a dagger and a crowbar.
Gardaí added that the defendant later crashed the vehicle into another driver, who was taken to hospital.
In addition, it was heard that the defendant also stole oil and a chicken roll from a shop.
All of the alleged incidents happened within 24 hours, gardaí told Judge Desmond Zaidan.
Gardaí sought to refuse bail for the teenager due to the seriousness of the allegations.
Despite defending barrister Mark Gibbons’ reassurances that his client lives with his family and is working at present, Judge Zaidan ultimately refused bail, citing the serious nature of the allegations, which he said that the State had proven its objections 'beyond a reasonable doubt.'
The defendant, who was accompanied by his father and a female relative on the date in question, broke down upon hearing the judge’s decision, as did the father.
Judge Zaidan told the boy that he 'was lucky that the other driver wasn't killed', and also urged him to turn his life around.
The youth was remanded in custody to a juvenile detention centre.