Teenager charged after man (20s) left in coma following gig outside 3Arena

Tom Tuite

A teenager with no routine and "bouncing around" accommodation placements has been charged with attacking a man who suffered serious injuries outside a gig at the 3Arena in January.

A Co Laois man in his early 20s was left fighting for his life in hospital after a concert by Scottish DJ Ewan McVicar.

The injured party, from Co Laois, was placed in an induced coma afterwards.

Gardaí from Store Street station arrested two males earlier this week, with the pair facing separate court appearances on Wednesday.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at the Dublin Children's Court charged with assault causing harm to the man at North Wall Quay on January 30th.

He was also accused of violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence, with his co-accused, during the same alleged incident.

He has yet to enter a plea and was accompanied to his hearing by his social worker and staff from his Tusla-provided accommodation.

Garda Andrew Seaman said the boy "made no reply" when charged. No evidence about the assault was given.

He confirmed that there were no objections to bail subject to conditions already canvassed with defence solicitor Holly Laher.

Judge Kelly ordered the teenager to have no contact by any means with the co-accused and complainant, to stay out of the Dublin 1 and 2 areas, to surrender his passport, and to notify of any address or phone number change.

He was also warned to obey a curfew from 11pm to 6am. The investigating officer also sought a condition compelling the teen to sign on daily at his local garda station.

Asked by the judge for the reason, he explained that while the boy had a mobile telephone, there were concerns that he was "hard to locate".

The judge said he did not see it terribly beneficial to the boy to go to the station every day, where adults would be present. Staff from his accommodation advised the judge that it could help the boy establish a routine.

Laher suggested reducing the requirement to three days a week, which the judge adopted. He also informed the boy that he must remain contactable 24/7.

Garda Seaman said the investigation was progressing, but more time was needed to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Judge Kelly ordered the boy to appear again in six weeks.

He noted that there were reports before the court about the teenager, which referred to limited engagement with services trying to assist him.

His solicitor said the boy was now willing to engage, that his case had a "sobering effect on him", and that "he wanted to make a plan in place for his life". She added that he has had a change of perspective, to which her client agreed, saying "Yes".

"I am, yes," he continued when Judge Kelly asked him if he would now cooperate with the services.

The judge also noted that the teenager is now residing in accommodation in Dublin, but had been placed in other locations, and a report indicated that he had been "bouncing around different places.

Judge Kelly noted that the boy would remain at his latest placement "depending on his behaviour".

The co-accused was brought before the District Court.