Youth (17) faces trial over violent mugging in Tallaght

Zimbabwean man allegedly suffered five stab wounds during Sundale Heights incident

A 17-year-old is facing trial over a violent mugging in Tallaght, in which a Zimbabwean man allegedly suffered five defensive stab wounds. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
A 17-year-old is facing trial over a violent mugging in Tallaght, in which a Zimbabwean man allegedly suffered five defensive stab wounds. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

A Dublin youth (17) is facing trial over a violent mugging, in which a Zimbabwean man allegedly suffered five stab wounds while trying to defend himself.

The youth, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, has been charged with the robbery in Tallaght on a date in July last year.

It is alleged the 57-year-old man had been on his way home with his daughter when he was set on by a group of youths.

The Dublin Children's Court heard that the man was briefly knocked unconscious, and when he came around he was attacked again and stabbed five times, resulting in him suffering defensive wounds.

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It is also alleged that the man’s phone was taken during the incident at Sundale Heights in Tallaght.

Judge’s refusal

Judge John O’Connor refused to accept jurisdiction. He held the case was too serious to be dealt with in the Juvenile Court and should be heard at a higher level in the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

The youth, who was accompanied to court by his lawyer and a parent, has not applied for bail and was remanded in custody to appear again on May 13th.

No plea has been entered and a book of evidence must be prepared before he is sent forward for trial.