A Romanian youth who was caught threatening motorists for money after he washed their car windows without their permission, has been given six months probation.
Dublin Children's Court was told gardaí were called about the 17-year-old's intimidation and begging on the M50 near the Red Cow Inn roundabout on December 20th last.
They arrived at the scene and found him washing a car windscreen and then demand money from a woman motorist. The woman indicated that she did not want him to clean the window but he ignored her and then threatened her for payment, the court heard.
When he saw the gardaí, the youth ran onto the opposite side of the motorway to get away and motorists had to swerve to avoid him. Eventually he was caught making his way on foot along a slip road in the middle of rush hour traffic.
The youth was arrested and charged under section three of the Vagrancy Act for begging and also under the Road Traffic Act for being a danger to himself and motorists, which he admitted.
Judge Michael Connellan noted that the probation and welfare services had recommended releasing the teenager on a bond under their supervision.
He acceded to their suggestions and ordered a six-month probation supervisory bond after he was told that the boy no longer engaged in these activities and that he and his family had since moved out of Dublin.