A 17-year-old boy who led gardai on a dangerous car chase around west Dublin has been banned from driving for two years.
The teen, who cannot be named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty to six counts of dangerous driving in connection with the incident on September 1, 2021.
Dublin Children’s Court heard today that the pursuit began at Kylemore Road, went through Ballyfermot to Palmerstown before heading to Chapelizod and coming back around Conyngham Road and ended close to where it started.
Judge Paul Kelly imposed a 12-month probation bond after noting the youth had taken part in a restorative justice initiative involving a road safety programme.
The teen also admitted to possessing a small amount of cannabis for personal use. In addition, during two public order incidents, he began screaming and shouting at gardai and tried to interfere as officers apprehended a suspect.
The court heard that he had no prior criminal convictions and now had a job.
Remorse
Doireann McDonagh BL, defending, asked the court to note a probation report on the teen’s participation in restorative justice work, including a road safety course.
She submitted while the boy had problems with his mother earlier, they had resolved themselves, and he had matured.
Counsel said the boy, accompanied to court by his father, wrote an introspective letter about understanding the consequences of his actions, and he was genuinely remorseful.
His father also confirmed that his son was in employment with regular work.
Sparing him a sentence, the judge warned he must follow the directions of the Probation Service to divert him from re-offending. Otherwise, the case could be re-opened, and he could get a custodial sentence instead.
