Teen accused of car thefts in Laois
The 14-year-old appeared in court with his father
A teenager who is accused of stealing cars has been warned to adhere to his bail conditions.
The boy (14), who has a Laois address, is one of a group of teenagers who are accused of car thefts in Laois and surrounding counties.
The boy is accused of the unlawful taking of a car at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise on January 20, 2024 and in Kilminchy on February 20, 2024. He is further accused of the unlawful taking of a car at Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on March 23, 2024 and of causing criminal damage at Priory Court, Kildare town on February 25,2024. The teenager is also accused of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and refusing to give his name to gardai in Mountrath on June 20, 2024.
Andrew Dunne BL said his client’s father had brought a logbook of his whereabouts as requested by the court a week earlier.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardaí had called to the teenager’s house at 9pm and he wasn’t at home despite a curfew imposed by the court.
The man’s father said he had phoned the boy when the gardaí were at the door and explained that he had gone to a local shop.
Mr Dunne said the boy came back after a short while. “By and large he is abiding,” Mr Dunne said of the bail conditions.
Sgt Kirby said there hadn’t been any incidents involving the teenager since his previous court appearance.
Judge Cody said it wasn’t good enough. He said he had already commented about a gang causing havoc in Laois and surrounding areas. He noted one of the teenagers was in Oberstown Detention Centre.
Mr Dunne said his client was “the youngest of them all” and he has been made aware of the curfew requirements of his bail.
Judge Cody said he had a probation report and other documents in relation to the accused. He remanded him on bail with strict conditions to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on June 26 for sentencing.