Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen whose attack left autistic victim blind in one eye gets deferred sentence
Summary
An unnamed teenager, who was 15 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to a victim on August 13, 2016. The court heard that the defendant allegedly pushed the victim, who has autism, into a headlock and punched him in the right eye, resulting in permanent blindness in that eye. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a period of detention of three and a half years, which he deferred for one year. This deferred child detention order requires the boy to be supervised by the Probation Service and to obey all their instructions and directions. Judge Nolan stated that there is no such thing in law as a suspended sentence for a child, noting that the Children Act 2001 allows for this deferral mechanism. The judge emphasized the severity of the case, telling the defendant he should be "terribly ashamed" and warning that non-compliance with probation directions would result in detention. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on May 3, 2019, at which point the judge may impose the detention, suspend part or all of it, or impose a community sanction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen whose attack left autistic victim blind in one eye gets deferred sentence. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to the victim on August 13, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 13, 2016 Adjournment
- May 3, 2019 Adjournment
- September 2016 Other
- 2018-05-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing serious harm to the victim on August 13, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan imposed a period of detention of three and a half years which he deferred for one year on condition the boy is supervised by the Probation Service and obeys all their instructions and directions. Today Judge Nolan noted there was no such thing in law as a suspended sentence for a child.; The Children Act 2001 allows a court to impose a deferred child detention order, in which the case is adjourned for a maximum of one year under probation supervision.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.