A protest was held in Dublin today after a judge ruled yesterday that a 17-year-old boy could be found guilty of false imprisonment, but imposed a conditional discharge.
The case relates to an incident in Jobstown in November 2014 when then tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser were trapped in their car for more than two hours.
In his ruling in the Children’s Court, Judge John King said the boy, who was 15 at the time, was present as Ms Burton and her adviser walked to St Thomas' Church from the local An Cosán centre in Jobstown until the slow march of the garda vehicle, in which she was a passenger, out of the area.
He said the boy had witnessed what was going on and instead of disassociating himself, he was an active participant.
Judge King said he could not give the boy an unconditional discharge, but imposed a conditional discharge, meaning he will not have a criminal record if he does not re-offend and is of good behaviour for nine months.
Today’s demonstration was organised by People Before Profit.
Several hundred protesters gathered at the Central Bank before marching through the city towards the Children's Court in Smithfield.
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