16-year-old accused of damaging cars and smashing windows

A TEENAGER facing burglary and criminal damage charges was before the District Court sitting at Ardcavan.

An application to have all matters adjourned did not go smoothly.

The 16-year-old was accompanied to the court by his mother’s partner.

Judge Miriam Walsh felt that the man was not what she termed ‘the appropriate adult’.

The man pointed out that the accused was residing with him but this did not satisfy the judge.

She was told that the mother was not available as she was at work.

The court moved on to other matters and, when the case was re-called, the young defendant’s grandmother was present.

Only then was an adjournment to September granted with the judge making it clear that the mother or grandmother should attend on that date.

The accused stood charged with damaging a parking meter on John’s Road in Wexford as well as five vehicles at Bernadette Place and windows at the CBS schools.

He was further accused of a burglary on July 20 at the Wildfowl Reserve on the North Slob with another youth.

The co-accused in the Wildfowl Reserve case attended court with his father, to be granted a similar adjournment to September 25.

Judge Walsh agreed that the 16-year-old could be excused attendance on that day as he was due in school.

However, solicitor Raymond Rowan was advised that the court would expect to see a letter from the school confirming that the defendant was in class.