A Dublin teenager who has 48 convictions but has never been given a custodial sentence was yesterday warned he was on his last chance to stop drinking and taking drugs or he would be sent into detention.
The youth (17), who has been in care since his early teens, had been convicted at the Children's Court after he pleaded guilty to riding a stolen bicycle and to being drunk and disorderly on Amiens Street, Dublin, on May 22nd.
The youth claimed a friend had let him ride the bicycle and that he did not know it was stolen. He refused to name the person who lent him the bike.
Judge Michael Connellan said the teenager had already been given numerous chances and a probation report had highlighted continued drug and alcohol abuse.
A social worker told the court the youth's behaviour had not caused any problems in the care home and that the teenager's continued drug use and alcohol abuse resulted from temptation of the sub-culture of substance abuse in the inner city.
The social worker also said the youth was due to start counselling to address these issues.
Defence solicitor Ms Eileen McCabe said the teenager was on a FÁS course and pleaded with the court not to impose a custodial sentence.
She submitted that if detained in St Patrick's Institution, the teenager would not have access to education, which she said could impair his progress.
The court was also told that much of the teenager's recent negative behaviour stemmed from his having nothing to occupy his time during the summer months.
Judge Connellan warned that he would find somewhere for the teenager to occupy his time.
But he consented to grant an adjournment, with bail, pending a further report from the probation services. The case was adjourned for four weeks.