Teen slashed man in the face behind a Louth hotel

A teenager who slashed a man in the face in County Louth, leaving him with a v-shaped scar, has been sentenced to two and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court, with half of the sentence suspended.

However, the now 18 year old defendant, who can't be named as he was a child at the time of the assault, walked free from court as he had spent 11 months in Oberstown Children's Detention Centre after his bail was revoked - the equivalent of serving 15 months (with remission).

The victim had met three teenagers on Earl Street in Dundalk on August 6th 2023 and after discussing buying cannabis, walked with them behind the Imperial Hotel, where a row broke out after the defendant refused to return the injured party's phone.

His co-accused punched the man a number of times to the head and neck, but it was the older teen who slashed him with a curved blade.

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The victim, who needed 24 stitches is still shaken by his ordeal and visibly scarred.

The court heard the defendant, who pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, had left school at 13 and regularly misused cannabis and tablets, and used cocaine in the past.

Judge Hayes said the defendant had played a central role in the assault and the injuries sustained.

The teen, who had five previous convictions, including violent disorder for which he was given a Probation supervision order, had previously been assessed as being at high risk of re-offending.

His sentencing was adjourned in November to see how the progress he had made at that stage could be maintained.

Judge Hayes had warned him he expected a positive report on the next occasion.

In finalising the matter, he said the report was positive “albeit with hiccups” and there had been a period of stability since the adjournment.

The judge said the 18 year old has made good progress in all areas of his life and is engaging with addiction services.

He further noted that while the boy's mother had expressed concern about his mental health, CAMHS was satisfied there is no requirement for any involvement with the Adult Mental Health Services “at this juncture”.

Judge Hayes stressed that if he had been sentencing him as an adult offender the then maximum sentence of five years for assault causing harm would have been appropriate.

However, as he was a child at the time, a custodial sentence must be an option “of last resort”.

The Judge said the time spent in custody was effectively a 15 month sentence.

He imposed a two and a half year sentence and suspended the balance of the jail term on the defendant entering a €100 bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.

He must also place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months and attend all appointments as directed, engage with the Turas counselling service, the Gaining Ground probation project and avail of education and training services.

Judge Hayes told the defendant “That's a two and a half year sentence.

You have served in real terms 15 months - that leaves 15 months of the sentence left to serve if you engage in any further offending behaviour you will be brought back before me and you'll serve that sentence”.