A schoolboy's blood was splattered all over the inside of a bus when he was attacked by two teenagers, the Children's Court heard yesterday.
After they attacked the terrified victim, the teenagers threatened to set their friends on him with "syringes and knives", the court was told.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin ordered a victim impact report and indicated that the attackers could have to pay compensation to the victim.
Defendant A, a boy now aged 17, had pleaded guilty to attacking the schoolboy causing him harm on the number 83 bus in Harold's Cross, on December 12th, 2003.
Defendant B, a 16-year-old boy, admitted assaulting the schoolboy during the same incident.
Terenure Garda Fiona O'Connell said that when she arrived at the scene the schoolboy was covered in blood.
The victim, now aged 17, but 15 at the time of the attack, told Judge Ní Chondúin that the two boys had made remarks at him as he was leaving the top deck of the bus.
As he was going down the stairs, defendant B kicked him in the face. The victim said that he and his friends went back to the top deck to ask the defendants why he had been attacked.
Following a brief argument the victim and his friends decided to get off the bus. Defendant A then followed and kicked the victim in the head.
"Blood was splattered everywhere and I told the bus driver to call the gardaí," the victim said. "When the gardaí arrived they were still shouting at me, shouting threats. "They said to the garda that they wanted to be charged so they could find out my name and where I live so they could have their friends get me with syringes and knives," he added.
Both defendants are in full-time employment, and defendant B had one conviction for driving without a licence, while his accomplice, who landed the kick that caused the bloodshed, had no prior convictions.
Defence solicitor Ms Ciara McCann said the boys' mothers were very concerned over the children's involvement in the attack. She added that both left school after the Junior Certificate and have full-time jobs.
Judge Ní Chondúin adjourned sentencing and granted bail until March 22nd. She said she would "teach [ the two] a lesson" and added they should be prepared to save their money.