18-year-old Derry man remanded for breaching bail
District Judge Barney McElholm said that this young man was one of those youths who were 'thumbing their noses at the court' knowing that as juveniles there was nothing the court could do
An 18-year-old man who had numerous breaches of bail as a juvenile was 'well warned' what would happen when he turned 18 a judge said at Derry Magistrate's Court.
Before the court was Colm O'Neill (18) of Farland Way in Derry who appeared on two counts of breaching his bail.
A police officer told the court that the defendant's father alerted police that he was drinking at the train station.
Police located O' Neill in Foyle Street and he was observed drinking from a plastic container in breach of his bail.
He was stopped and searched and a bottle of vodka was found on him and he said 'that's me f----d'.
The officer said that the court was 'very aware' of this defendant who just turned 18 last month.
He said there was 'no chance' that O'Neill would abide by bail conditions and the risk of re-offending was very high.
Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that her client had a very bad record as regards the youth court but this was his first appearance as an adult.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that this young man was one of those youths who were 'thumbing their noses at the court' knowing that as juveniles there was nothing the court could do.
He said that this was due to 'wrong headed legislation' that required a government to change.
The judge said that everything had been tried to stop these juveniles from offending.
As regards O'Neill the judge said 'I specifically warned him when he turned 18 things would change.'
He revoked O'Neill's bail and remanded him in custody to appear again on October 17.