Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen avoids detention for vicious attack that left autistic boy blind in one eye
Summary
In 2016 a 15‑year‑old attacked a young man with autism in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, leaving the victim blind in one eye. The assault was filmed by friends and used by Gardaí. The teenager pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. Under the Children Act 2001 the case was adjourned for a year of probation supervision. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the boy's age, lack of convictions and family support, imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year detention order, deferred for one year. At the hearing the judge suspended the entire detention, giving the teenager a chance to comply with probation. The victim suffered permanent loss of vision and was treated at the Eye and Ear Hospital. The defendant had no prior convictions and expressed remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen avoids detention for vicious attack that left autistic boy blind in one eye. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to the victim on August 13, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 13, 2016 Adjournment
- September 2016 Other
- 2019-07-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing serious harm to the victim on August 13, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Jessica Magee and Fiona Ferguson A teenager who viciously assaulted a young man with autism, leaving him blind in one eye, has been given a three year suspended period of detention after a year of probation supervision. Judge Nolan had 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.; 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.
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