This article is from page 20 of the 2014-06-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A 15-YEAR-old boy charged with the false imprisonment of a teenager in Ennis last year is to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court. Jurisdiction of the case was refused by Judge Patrick Durcan on Wednesday after he heard an outline of the alleged facts of the case against the boy.
The Ennis boy – who was accompanied by his mother at Ennis Children’s Court – is charged with falsely imprisoning a 17-year-old at Quin Road, Ennis on August 19 last contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
He is also charged with unlawfully taking possession of a car without the consent of the owner or without lawful authority at the Quin Road, Ennis on the same date.
The boy is one of a number of people gardaí say were in a car that went on an “escapade” around Ennis last year. Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident. Inspector Tom Kennedy said it would be alleged the 15 year-old pushed the driver and forced him to sit in the car.
Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction. A book of evidence will be prepared and the case will be heard in the Circuit Court.
He adjourned the case for mention to tomorrow, June 11.
The boy was remanded on continuing bail. Two other teenagers have also been charged in connection with the incident on the Quin Road.
Patrick McCarthy (18) is charged with the robbery of a Sony mobile phone and € 5 worth of tobacco from a male on August 19.
Mr McCarthy, with an address at Westbourne, Watery Road, Ennis, is also charged unlawfully taking possession of a vehicle without the consent of the owner or without lawful authority. Insp Kennedy told Judge Durcan the DPP had directed summary disposal of the matters in the District Court. He outlined a summary of the alleged facts of the case to allow Judge Durcan consider whether or not to accept jurisdiction.
The court heard Mr McCarthy was one of a number of people who got into a car they waved down on O’Connell Street on August 19 last.
The court heard the driver was asked to go to a number of different housing estates and areas around the outskirts of Ennis.
Insp Kennedy said people were drinking in the car. He said the driver was assaulted at one point on the “journey” but not by Mr McCarthy.
Of the robbery charge, Insp Kennedy said that at one stage of this “escapade”, the car stopped on the humpback bridge on the Quin Road.
He said it would be alleged Mr McCarthy got out of the car and demanded money from a pedestrian.
Insp Kennedy said it is alleged the accused put his hands into the alleged victim’s pocket and took items.
He said Mr McCarthy then got back at the car, which at this point was being driven by another man.
Judge Durcan refused jurisdiction, meaning the case will now proceed to the Circuit Court.
Mr McCathy was remanded on continuing bail. The case was adjourned for mention to June 11.
A 19 year-old man also charged with an offence arising from the alleged incident on the Quin Road on August 19 last is also to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court.
He is due to appear before Ennis District Court tomorrow.