Laois court told teenage girl apologised for missing curfew
The girl appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A teenage girl who was on bail apologised for missing her court imposed curfew and told a judge she didn’t want to go back to Oberstown Detention Centre.
The girl (14), who cannot be identified, is accused of burgling a vape shop in Laois on April 25, of stealing from a shop in Laois on April 14 and also faces two separate charges of assault causing harm at locations in Laois from April 8 and January 17 last.
“She has her mam with her today along with her social worker,” said Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick.
The court was told all three of the four offences could be dealt with in the district court but Judge Susan Fay was waiting on a medical report in order to consider jurisdiction in relation to one of the assault charges.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the teenager had arrived late to her care home following a day out but had called Gardaí to alert them that she would be late. He said she had “apologised for missing her curfew and said she didn’t want to go back to Oberstown”.
Judge Fay noted a social worker had previously said that the curfew between 7am and 8pm was unworkable for the girl.
“What I said I would do is I would leave that over to allow her prove herself,” said Judge Fay.
Sgt Kirby said “I think they want that changed from 8pm to 10pm”.
Judge Fay adjourned the case back to Portaloise District Court on June 22 for a medical report and to consider jurisdiction.