Courts / Ireland / Report
21-month delay in charging teens means they will be tried as adults, High Court hears
Summary
The High Court heard that a 21‑month delay in charging two 15‑year‑old teenagers with false imprisonment and sexual assault has denied them the chance to be tried as minors, creating a prejudice that should halt their prosecutions. The alleged incident took place in a public park in June 2019, where a teenage girl claimed she was prevented from leaving by about eight boys, one of whom allegedly forced her to perform a sexual act and another who allegedly pulled down his trousers. The girl said she was touched, forced to kiss a boy, and could not escape until friends arrived. A complaint was made to Gardaí in early 2020, and the boys were arrested and interviewed in August 2020.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 21-month delay in charging teens means they will be tried as adults, High Court hears. Charges or matters: false imprisonment contrary to the 1997 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2019 Incident
- August 2020 Incident
- May 2022 Incident
- 2023-02-20 Publication
Why: It is claimed that because they were both minor when the alleged assault took place, there was an onus on the State authorities to ensure speedy trials. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: false imprisonment contrary to the 1997 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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