An unemployed youth who repeatedly kicked a garda while he was trying to arrest a violent prisoner was detained for nine months yesterday.
Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick said the youth needed a "short, sharp shock" as he had been dealt with leniently by the court previously.
"He has been before the courts before and has been shown considerable leniency, and clearly that was not appreciated," Judge Fitzpatrick said.
Dublin Children's Court heard that the youth (17) from Ballymun, Dublin, denied charges of assaulting a garda in Ballymun and for being in breach of the peace on March 6th last. He had admitted a charge of handling stolen bottles of beer, which occurred two days previously.
The teenager admitted in evidence he had been at the scene, but denied taking part in any assault.
Judge Fitzpatrick said he was satisfied with the prosecution's evidence and convicted the teenager, who already had seven previous convictions. The judge said the teenager had been shown leniency in the past, and he could not show sympathy for him.