Sixteen-year-old dealer had drugs and bullets

on 19/10/2012 14:12:25

A 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court today to dealing cocaine, cannabis and heroin as well as possessing bullets.

The south Dublin boy, who has had to move out of his home, had already admitted Public Order Act offences, possessing a knife, in the city's south-side and using a plastic rod as a weapon which he swung at members of the public on Thomas Street.

All these offences took place in January this year and the boy had been remanded on bail to appear again today when a pre-sentence probation report was ready.

Today, Judge Michael Walsh heard that the boy, who was accompanied to his hearing by his mother, was also entering guilty pleas to drug dealing and firearms offences.

Cannabis was found at his home in May and he was also found with cocaine and heroin at a location in Dublin 8 on the same date. The boy was brought to a south Dublin garda station where more heroin was recovered.

The value of the drugs has not yet been stated in court.

At the garda station where he was searched, three Remmington make, 22-calibre Winchester Magnum bullets were also seized from him.

Judge Walsh noted that the teenager, who has not continued to come to Garda attention, is being supervised by the Probation Service and a social worker's report on him was furnished to the court.

Defence solicitor Gareth Noble said social services' intervention was not based on child protection concerns.

The boy had to leave his home and is currently living with friends because "he has fallen foul of certain persons in his locality".

"It was felt that his continued presence at his address would be to his detriment," the lawyer explained.

Judge Walsh adjourned sentencing the teen for all the offences until a later date. The prosecution's evidence has yet to be heard in relation to the boy's drugs and ammunition charges to which has he pleaded guilty.

The teenager, who did not address the court, was remanded in continuing bail.