A district court judge has said he does not understand why the anonymity of youngsters who commit crime is still protected. It was a throwback to Victorian thinking about young people. Judge Flann Brennan made his comments in Drogheda Juvenile Court after telling reporters they could identify a 17 year old, who admitted a number of offences including burglary.
Michael Hughes, Meadow View, Drogheda, was 17 last October and all offences committed since then could be reported, the judge said.
Mr Paul Moore, solicitor, said his client had run wild in the 12 months since he was first before the courts. Two of, the offences had been committed while he was drunk and in two offences he had cannabis resin.
He admitted charges of burglary, breach of the peace and possession of cannabis resin since last November. The youth also pleaded guilty to a number of offences committed while he, was 16. Judge Brennan, adjourning the case until April 26th, said compensation must be paid.