Courts / Dublin / Report
Judge's options in sentencing juveniles unclear, court hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan faced uncertainty over how to sentence two 16‑ and 17‑year‑old boys charged with demanding money with menace during a drug‑debt dispute. The judge noted that suspended sentences are not available for juveniles, so he considered an 18‑month good‑behaviour bond that would require the boys to remain under Probation Service supervision for one year. He questioned counsel about consequences if the boys misbehave or fail to attend, and was told it would be difficult to enforce. After reviewing CCTV footage showing the boys, a third person, and a ringleader who has fled, the judge ruled that neither boy deserved detention and imposed the bond. Both pleaded guilty to the single count, with additional affray and trespass charges considered. The boys had no prior convictions, had recently finished their Leaving Certificate, and expressed remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge's options in sentencing juveniles unclear, court hears. Charges or matters: one count of demanding money with menace at a location in Dublin on July 15, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 15, 2023 Incident
- 2024-07-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of demanding money with menace at a location in Dublin on July 15, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: However, the court heard that juveniles cannot be given suspended sentences which allow a judge to impose certain conditions which defendants must abide by, such as remaining under the supervision of the Probation Service. Judge Nolan ruled that he would impose an 18-month good behaviour bond on each boy. "The situation here is that this court considers neither (boy) deserves to go into detention," he said. "Therefore it won't be open to the court to delay sentencing until they reach their 18th birthday." The judge said he would place both boys on a bond to be of good behaviour for 18 months and to remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for one year. "If they don't do that, you will have to come back to court and see what the appropriate remedy is," he told prosecution counsel.; Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an hour today to allow all counsel in the matter to seek clarification on what options he had to ensure the boys engage with the Probation Service.
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