Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen alleges unfair delay in assault prosecution

Date
2025-05-12
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The High Court has granted leave for judicial review to an unnamed 18-year-old accused of violent disorder and assault causing harm in Dublin. The applicant, represented by James B Dwyer SC, seeks an injunction against his prosecution at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, alleging a three-year delay that prevented his access to juvenile diversion. The alleged offences occurred in February 2022 on Henry Street, Dublin 1, where the teen, then 15, is accused of participating in an altercation with a Polish man who rebuked a group of teenagers for allegedly throwing eggs at a homeless man. The applicant denied the allegations during a voluntary interview, admitting only to his presence at the scene. In April 2024, he was deemed unsuitable for juvenile diversion because he had turned 17, resulting in his referral for trial. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted the application, stating there were "certainly arguable grounds" for review. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the applicant due for arraignment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court later this month. No plea, finding, or sentence has been recorded, and the prosecution has not been concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen alleges unfair delay in assault prosecution. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Why: The teen ended up before the Circuit Criminal Court after he was deemed unsuitable for juvenile diversion in April 2024, because he had, by then, turned 17. CNI source report

Case subjects

James B Dwyer Sc

Applicant

Unnamed accused

Applicant

Places mentioned

Incident
Court Venue
  • High Court
  • Circuit Criminal Court
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Court
  • Supreme Court
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Journey Or Route
Address Area
  • Henry Street
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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