A 14-year-old boy arrested for cocaine dealing at his local shopping centre has been remanded on bail at the Dublin Children’s Court.
The west Dublin teenager had been arrested outside shops and brought to Ronanstown Garda station, on April 30th last. Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard that the boy made no reply when he was charged with possessing cocaine for sale or supply to another.
Garda Dean Wilkinson said that although the certificate of analysis from the Garda forensic laboratory has not been received, it was believed the value of the drugs allegedly seized was around €400.
Judge MacGrath noted the date of the arrest was April 30th last but the boy was not charged until a date in July. She held that in the circumstances the defence had a valid point and that if there were on-going concerns over the teen’s behaviour the case could be brought back to court.
She refused to attach the conditions sought by the Garda and remanded the boy, who was accompanied to his case by a grandparent, to appear again next month when a plea is to be entered.
Judge MacGrath also consented to an application from the defence for disclosure of the State’s evidence prior to the teen’s next court appearance. She also granted legal aid after noting that the boy was due to start a course next month.