Judge restricts Dublin teen’s social media amid motor theft videos claims

Tom Tuite

A judge has limited a 15-year-old Dublin boy's social media activity amid claims he has been posting car theft-related videos online, and his family "cannot handle" him.

The teen, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, was arrested in Lucan, Co Dublin, on Friday night and found asleep in the boot of a car.

He appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court on Saturday morning.

He was charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

Garda Evan Mullally said that after catching the sleeping teenager, he was found to be carrying a screwdriver.

There was no objection to bail, subject to conditions including a 9pm-7am curfew and not getting on or into any motor vehicle unless in the company of a licensed and insured driver.

Garda Mullally sought an order preventing the teen, who has yet to enter a plea, from using a mobile phone and certain apps, alleging the boy was using them to "set up meetings".

Defence counsel Kevin McCrave challenged the necessity of requesting that condition.

Garda Mullally maintained that the boy has been running videos of himself behind the wheel of vehicles.

The boy was accompanied to court by his grandparents, with the judge noting that Tusla, the child and family agency, was also involved with the teen.

The garda alleged the teenager was going out every night and getting involved in motor theft, and his grandparents could not handle him.

Counsel argued that the term could be altered to specify that the boy must not use a phone or social media to post videos, which Judge Jones accepted and imposed.

The judge told the grandparents that he appreciated their coming to the hearing.

Responsible adults are required to attend court proceedings against juveniles, including bail hearings.

The boy was warned to comply with the terms and ordered to appear at the Children's Court on a date in February.