‘Drugs will only bring you down’ Judge tells teen (16)
A TEENAGER (16) who headbutted his mother and stole newspapers has been taking drugs, Tallaght Court had heard.
The teenager, who has an address in Rathfarnham, had pleaded guilty to assaulting his mother at his home address on May 5, 2017.
He had previously pleaded guilty to stealing newspapers worth €200 from a petrol station in Rathfarnham on September 23, 2017.
The case was before Judge Patricia McNamara in Tallaght Court for a probation report. The teenager was accompanied by his mother. He was represented by his solicitor, Michael Hennessy.
Reading the report, Judge McNamara noted that the teenager had been taking drugs.
She told him: ”Why are you taking drugs.
“Drugs will only bring you down. You don’t know what you are putting into yourself. You could be taking rat poison.”
Judge McNamara asked if he was still playing soccer.
The teenager said he was.
His mother said her son had recently been voted man of the match by both teams in a game.
Mr Hennessy asked the judge to put the case back for a further probation report.
Judge McNamara told the teenager: “Someday I will see your name up in lights and you will be playing for Ireland or Manchester United.”
She adjourned the case for two weeks for a further report.
