Teenager who headbutted mother wants to play for Rovers
By Brendan Grehan
A TEENAGER (16) who headbutted his mother wants to play for Shamrock Rovers.
The teenager told Judge Patricia McNamara that outside Ireland, he would like to play for Manchester United.
He was before the court for hearing on the assault case.
His solicitor, Michael Hennessy, told Judge McNamara that his client was changing his plea to guilty.
The teenager, who has an address in Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty to assaulting his mother at their home on May 5, 2017.
He had previously pleaded guilty to stealing newspapers worth €200 from a petrol station in Rathfarnham on September 23, 2017.
He was accompanied in court by his mother.
Judge McNamara told the teenager: “You have such a nice smile so it is hard to believe when I hear such things about you.”
Garda John Dalton told the court that on May 5 last, the teenagers mother reported an incident.
He said that at 12 midday, the teenager was in her home and he was being verbally abusive to her.
Garda Dalton said the mother put her hand on her son and asked him to stop being verbally abusive.
The teenager then attempted to head butt his mother a number of times and grazed her head, leaving her with scratches on her head.
Garda Dalton said the teenager made contact with his mother once.
He said the mother had moved her head so not to receive the full impact of the head butt.
Garda Dalton said the accused had no previous convictions.
Sergeant Michael Ahern said the teenager had been placed on a six month probation bond a week before for assaulting his mother.
The teenager’s solicitor, Michael Hennessy, said his client is a talented soccer player and added that he would like to see him playing rugby.
Judge McNamara asked what soccer team he would like to play for.
The teenager replied: “In Ireland, Shamrock Rovers. Outside Ireland, Man United.”
Mr Hennessy said his client would have to realise that he is lucky to have such talent and that he would have to work hard to develop it.
Judge McNamara suggested to Mr Hennessy that he go out and make a video of his client playing soccer so that he can see his talent.
Mr Hennessy said the boy’s mother is currently preparing a victim impact statement.
Judge McNamara adjourned the case for three weeks to hear the victim impact statement and for a plea in mitigation.
The theft case was also adjourned for a probation report.
