Courts / Dublin / Report
Boy attacked and defiled girl when he was 14
Summary
A 14‑year‑old boy was found guilty of defiling a 16‑year‑old girl in a public park on 31 December 2019. The victim, now 16, described the assault as a nightmare that she relives each New Year's Eve, saying she cannot trust anyone and fears she will never feel normal again. She told the court that the boy "took advantage of my body and my vulnerability." The boy pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Judge Paul McDermott, applying the Children Act 2001, said a detention order should be a last resort and deferred a four‑year detention order, setting a future hearing for 19 December. He remanded the boy on bail with strict conditions, including no contact with the victim, compliance with the Probation Service, and no further offences. The boy denied unlawful sex but admitted other sexual activity, claiming the victim was the instigator and that consent was involved, a view he now rejects.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Boy attacked and defiled girl when he was 14. Charges or matters: the defilement of a child under the age of 15 at a location in Co Dublin on December 31, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 31, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 19 Adjournment
- New Year's Eve Other
- 2022-01-25 Publication
Why: He said it was only because the accused was aged 14 at the time of the offence that the provisions apply and that he is obliged to consider them and apply them as he has done. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the defilement of a child under the age of 15 at a location in Co Dublin on December 31, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said under the provisions of the Children Act 2001, a period of detention should only be imposed as a last resort. Justice McDermott said he would impose a four-year order of detention but deferred the imposition of this sentence and adjourned the matter to December 19, next.; Justice McDermott said he would impose a four-year order of detention but deferred the imposition of this sentence and adjourned the matter to December 19, next.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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