Teenager accused of assaulting three gardaí apologises for ‘one blip’

A teenager accused of attacking three gardaí, leaving one with a broken nose during a violent assault in a station earlier this week has apologised for his action and sought to have the case dealt with before he turns 18 and becomes liable to be treated as an adult with regard to the charges.

The youth, who is not due to turn 18 until January and therefore cannot be named, appeared at a sitting of Mullingar District Court on Thursday after being remanded in detention following a special court sitting less than 48 hours earlier.

It is alleged the juvenile assaulted a male officer at Longford Garda station, Battery Road, Longford, during the early hours of Tuesday morning, resulting in the garda sustaining a suspected broken nose.

The teenager is also charged with carrying out two further assaults on a male and female garda after being arrested in Drumlish, Co Longford, earlier in the evening where it is alleged the teenager was found to be in the possession of a knife.

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It was further alleged the accused was found with €70 worth of cocaine during the same incident at Longford Garda station.

Sergeant Sheila Kenny, for the prosecution, said the State would be seeking a further adjournment as directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited.

She also indicated further charges were a possibility in the case.

Defence solicitor Jack Donoghue said his client was amenable to a short, further remand in detention, but urged the court to expedite the case as swiftly as possible owing to the accused teenager’s pending 18th birthday next January.

“He is a minor and will age out in January,” he told the court.

Presiding Judge Alan Mitchell remanded the youth in detention until September 6th, but warned the State the court would be “expecting progress” on that date.

The teenager, who was accompanied by a social worker in court, expressed his remorse over the incident.

“I would just like to apologise to all members of An Garda Síochána,” he said.

“It was out of order. I was highly intoxicated and it was out of order. I was doing very well and I had one blip. I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”

He also indicated that he was fully accepted his role in the incident.

“I am going to plead guilty to all the charges as I just want to get them dealt with,” he added.

The teenager was remanded in detention until a sitting of Longford District Court on September 6th.