A 15-year-old teenager has been released on a 12-month probation bond after a court heard that due to his mother's determined efforts he had made a dramatic turnaround from being a habitual offender to becoming a diligent law abiding student.
Dublin Children's Court heard yesterday his mother's battle to get him back into education to steer him away from crime after he had been expelled for anti-social behaviour had proved successful. He has finished his second year in secondary school, achieved excellent grades and had not been in further trouble, the court heard.
The boy had admitted charges for theft of a moped, larceny and burglary. A year ago he was excluded from school due to his offending but became anxious to complete his education to divert him from breaking the law.
His mother had previously told the court that her son's behaviour had been adversely affected by the inner city area in which they lived and the company he kept.
To counter this, she tried to enrol him in a new school but continually met obstacles at every turn, the court heard earlier.
The Department of Education provided her with the financing for home tuition, however, it was left to her to find the teachers.
Her approach to a number of schools to get a tutor for her son were unsuccessful and for several months she was left trying to teach him on her own. But after several months she succeeded in getting him into a new school.
Solicitor Sarah Molloy told Judge Coughlan yesterday that since the boy got back into school he had been performing well at his studies and has not been charged again.
A report on his behaviour showed that he had fully co-operated with probation workers and a report from his new school demonstrated that he had done well in his summer exams, Ms Molloy also said. Noting the positive reports Judge Coughlan bound the boy to the peace for one year stipulating that he must remain in contact with probation workers during that time.