Boy (16) remanded in custody after €14k cocaine seizure in Dublin taxi

By Tom Tuite

A 16-year-old boy allegedly caught with €14,000 worth of cocaine in a Dublin taxi over the weekend has been remanded in custody.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is a minor, is accused of possessing €14,100 worth of cocaine and €540 worth of ecstasy tablets for sale or supply in the early hours of Sunday in the north inner city.

The Dublin Children's Court heard that when the offences were put to him at Store Street Garda station, "he made no reply."

Gardaí confirmed they were objecting to the boy's bail.

Judge Brendan Toale heard that the accused was "the subject of a stop and search" as he was travelling as a passenger in a taxi.

Garda Jordan Mulcahy gave evidence that the teen was allegedly found with the drugs, as well as €908 in cash and two mobile phones.

The boy was accompanied to court by his mother.

The judge noted that there was no application for bail at this stage.

Once it was confirmed that space was available at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus, he ordered that the boy be remanded in custody to appear again in a week.

Other drug charges that were due before the court next month—on which the teenager had been granted bail earlier—were pulled. Bail was also revoked on those matters.

Those charges involved allegations of possessing cocaine for sale or supply and simple possession of cannabis in May.

The teenager, who has yet to indicate how he will plead, did not address the court during the brief hearing.

His solicitor stated that there were significant concerns regarding the boy's mental health. Judge Toale noted the information and said an assessment would be carried out once the youth arrived at the detention centre. Legal aid was granted.