Teens in court accused of grope assault on young girl

A TEENAGE girl was sexually assaulted on her way home from school after a group of boys prevented her from getting away, a court has heard. A 17-year-old boy and another boy, aged 16, appeared at Dublin Children’s Court yesterday in connection with the alleged grope attack.

The older youth was charged with sexual assault and false imprisonment of the girl on a street in north Co. Dublin on a date in 2016. The codefendant was solely charged with false imprisonment of the girl, who was 16 at the time. The boys were aged 15 and 14 when the assault allegedly happened.

Garda John Delaney said the Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended the case be dealt with in the juvenile court and not sent forward to the circuit court, which can impose lengthier sentences.

Gda Delaney said the girl ‘was walking home from school at about 4pm when she was stopped by a group of youths of which the 17-year-old boy is alleged to have been one.

‘She was not allowed to continue on her journey and it is alleged the accused grabbed [her] breast before leaving the scene,’ he said.

He alleged the co-accused had been in the group that surrounded the girl and prevented her leaving while she was assaulted.

Judge John O’Connor adjourned the case until a date in June when the court will rule on a trial venue.