A schoolboy charged with dangerously driving a scrambler motorcycle in Ballyfermot at the weekend has been released on bail.
However, Judge Brendan Toale ordered the 16-year-old not to get into any vehicle unless he was a passenger and accompanied by a qualified adult driver.
He was arrested on Sunday around 4pm and charged with dangerous driving and unlawful possession of cannabis at Le Fanu Road.
He was held in Garda custody and appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court today.
Garda Chloe Butler told the court the teenager made no reply to the charges.
She did not object to bail subject to conditions including a 9pm to 6am curfew and a ban on him going to Ballyfermot.
Defence counsel Doireann McDonagh objected because the incident happened in the daytime, and Ballyfermot was a large area where her client had friends, and “as a young man, that is important to him”.
She added that the teen, accompanied to court by his mother, did not have a history of offending and was entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Judge Toale said the Children’s Act allows restrictions to assist a defendant in staying away from offending behaviour, but he held the curfew, and an order to keep out of the area was unnecessary.
However, he imposed the other terms sought by Garda Butler.
The teen must sign on twice weekly at a Dublin garda station, refrain from driving any vehicle, and only travel in one as a passenger with an adult, fully qualified driver.
He ordered disclosure of Garda evidence to the defence and told the boy he must return to court in December to enter a plea.
Judge Toale warned him he risked being detained if he broke the terms. The teen and his mother thanked the judge at the end of the hearing.
Legal aid was granted.
Reporting by Tom Tuite
