Laois teenager assaulted boy with special needs

A teenager appeared in court accused of assaulting a boy with special needs in Laois. 

The teenager (18), who has a Laois address, is accused of attempted robbery and assaulting a boy in Laois on September 22, 2023. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at around 11.15am. He said “a young man who was attending a special needs school” was approached and “he grabbed the gent by the arm and tried to hit him”. 

Sgt Kirby said the injured party “freed himself and ran away. He suffered a small bump on the top of his head”. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the boy didn’t want to make a victim impact statement. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was 16 at the time of the offence and he hasn’t come to adverse attention since. She said the boy would have been a very good sportsman but “mental health issues prevailed” and he doesn’t play anymore. 

Judge Susan Fay said “it is a horrible, horrible offence, hitting a kid with special needs who is a year younger than you”. 

“He didn’t have special needs”, the teenager replied. 

Judge Fay told the teenager that he wasn’t a psychologist. She noted he was given a chance to engage with the probation services but hadn’t done so. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said there had been the “lack of a father figure” at home as his father would have been in and out of prison.  She said the boy left school in third year. 

“He is the oldest and perhaps had to assume the position of a father figure,” she explained. 

She said the boy had said he “just can’t find the headspace to engage” with probation services. 

Judge Fay said there was “a sliver of hope” as he had gone to the probation office on March 11. She told the boy that they might be able to help him get mental health support. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the boy was getting help through his GP and was back taking his medication. 

Sgt Kirby said he knew the boy a long time and he never had any parental supervision. 

“It was a very nasty incident. I hope he learns his lesson,” he said. 

Judge Fay told the teenager that “it was a horrible thing to do. It doesn’t mean you are a horrible person”. 

She requested an updated probation report and warned the boy that she would “throw the book” at him if he didn’t engage with probation. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 22.