Limerick Children’s court judge congratulates a young new father, 15 years of age

A HIGHLY unusual scenario took place at the children’s court at Limerick’s Mulgrave courthouse on December 2, 2025. 

A boy of 15 years of age - who cannot be named for legal reasons - came before the courts for a drug charge. 

However, before his prepared probation report was discussed, words of congratulations were shared with the young man.

Judge Patricia Harney told the new father with a smile: “Congratulations on the birth of your baby”. 

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However, a dampener was put on the celebrations, when Judge Harney followed her earlier comment with: “I hope that he won’t be following in your footsteps in the children’s court”. 

The teenager’s probation report was then discussed by the judge. 

It emerged that the young man had problems with cannabis misuse and his temper. 

Justice Harney was unimpressed with the young man’s ambitions. 

She stated that the fifteen-year-old is “finished with education, he doesn’t plan to get a job”, adding that “he’s young and he’s fit”. 

Judge Harney told the young father: “You’d want to be doing a small bit better”. 

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.