Courts / Dublin / Report
Child sentencing practice 'crying out for legislation,' Urantsetseg Tserendorj case hearing told
Summary
The Central Criminal Court heard submissions in the case of an unnamed boy, now 17, who was 14 when he murdered Mongolian national Urantsetseg Tserendorj on January 20, 2021. The boy pleaded not guilty to the murder but guilty to manslaughter on January 29, 2021. The State did not accept his plea, and he twice stood trial for her murder. A reduced panel jury found him guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 10 to one after eight hours and 59 minutes of deliberations. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on a walkway between George's Dock and Custom House Quay in the IFSC, Dublin on January 20, 2021. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the sentence hearing until next month to allow him time to consider the options available to him. The judge raised concerns about the lack of statutory basis for sentence reviews in cases involving minors, noting that the Court of Appeal has ruled that suspended sentences cannot be imposed on minors. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child sentencing practice 'crying out for legislation,' Urantsetseg Tserendorj case hearing told. Charges or matters: the murder of Ms Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on January 29, 2021; producing a knife and to attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on a walkway between George's Dock and Custom House Quay in the IFSC, Dublin on January 20, 2021. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 29, 2021 Adjournment
- January 20, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 13 Adjournment
- January 20 Adjournment
- January 29 Other
- January 21 Other
- 2023-01-20 Publication
Why: Because he was just 14 when he killed Ms Tserendorj, the usual mandatory sentence of life in prison does not apply. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Ms Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on January 29, 2021; producing a knife and to attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on a walkway between George's Dock and Custom House Quay in the IFSC, Dublin on January 20, 2021 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Justice Hunt said the important thing to consider was whether the reviewing judge would have the option to suspend any part of the sentence or whether the judge would "have to bring the curtain down" and release the defendant without any suspended sentence conditions. Unfortunately the Court of Appeal has said you can't suspend a period of detention imposed on a minor," counsel said.; The judge adjourned the sentence hearing until next month to allow him time to consider the options available to him.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Custom House
- Mater Hospital
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request