This article is from page 12 of the 2006-04-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A KILRUSH youth who inflicted ‘near fatal’ knife injuries on a man has been warned he will face four years behind bars — if he steps out of line within the next 12 months.
The 17-year-old pleaded guilty last year to assaulting another man, causing him serious harm, on John Street, Kilrush, on November 23, 2003.
On that occasion, he was ordered to obey the Probation Services and to refrain from associating with youths who would be engaging in anti-social behaviour.
However, Ennis Circuit Court heard yesterday (Monday) that earlier this month the youth was sentenced to four months’ detention for assaulting two gardai, last December.
During the incident the two gardaí were headbutted.
Defending barrister Mark Nicholas said the accused’s probation report was favourable. Referring to the assault on the gardaí, he said, “It is a shame that he has slipped in this regard. . . It is a very serious slip.”
“He has been punished and is serving four months’ detention for that. He has no intention of appealing it,” added the barrister.
Mr Nicholas said the assault in November 2003 was “dreadful” but that his client had owned up to it and has since met most of the conditions imposed in the Circuit Court 12 months ago.
Judge Carroll Moran said the assault central to the case was very serious.
“The evidence last year was that the injured party suffered near-fatal injuries when he was attacked with a knife. He was in hospital, first in Ennis and then Limerick, for a total of eight days. The victim did make a full recovery, but has suffered psychological strain.”
The judge added that if he sent the youth to jail, he would be more likely to lead a criminal career than he would if he hadn’t been jailed.
“But he has got into trouble since, by headbutting two gardaí,” said the judge.
He said he would adjourn the case for another year, on condition that he stay out of trouble.
“If he gets into trouble, he will get a sentence of four years,” he said.
Detective Sergeant Sheedy recommended that a curfew be imposed. “My belief is if the accused has any chance of staying out of trouble, a curfew should be imposed,” said the garda.
A curfew — between the hours of 11pm and 7am — was imposed and the youth was ordered to reside with his parents in Kilrush.