Leaving Cert student convicted for shouting ‘profanities’ after concert
By Brendan Grehan
A LEAVING Cert student who was shouting “f**king scum” and “f**king pr**ks” after a concert had his case adjourned for a probation report by Tallaght Court.
The 17-year-old, who has an address in Rathfarnham, had pleaded not guilty to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at a location in Ballyboden on July 16, 2017.
He was accompanied in court by his mother.
The case was before Judge Patricia McNamara for hearing.
Garda James Ward told the court that on July 16 last, he had been called to an incident in Ballyboden.
On arrival at the scene, he said he saw a unit of Dublin Fire Brigade who were treating two males who were lying on the ground.
Garda Ward said he observed the teenager standing nearby.
He said what drew his attention to the teenager was that he was shouting “profanities” such as “f**king scum” and “f**king pr**ks”.
Garda Ward said there were members of the public present. He said he cautioned the youth.
Garda Ward said: “He (the teenager) continued in his behaviour and said to me ‘is this a f**king joke?’. He said he arrested the teenager for breaching the peace.
Garda Ward said he had put the case for it be dealt with by the JLO but the teenager had been deemed unsuitable.
The teenager’s counsel, Stephen Montgomery Bl, asked Judge McNamara for a direction on the ground that there was no evidence of a breach of the peace.
Judge McNamara ruled that the teenager had a case to answer.
The teenager told Judge McNamara that he had lost his phone on the day in question and was trying to find it.
He said he hadn’t been doing anything when Garda Ward arrested him.
Judge McNamara said she didn’t find the teenagers evidence “credible” and found him to be “evasive”.
She said she accepted the garda’s evidence and convicted the teenager.
Garda Ward said the teenager had four previous convictions, three for road traffic offences including dangerous driving and no insurance.
At Tallaght Court on April 11 last, he had been sentenced to nine months detention for assault causing harm. The court heard that this sentence is under appeal.
Mr Montgomery said his client is currently studying for his Leaving Certificate and lives at home with his mother.
Judge McNamara adjourned the case for a month for a probation report and sentencing.
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