A teenage boy accused of hijacking and attacking an electric scooter rider at St Stephen's Green in Dublin when he was 14 years old has been remanded in custody pending a trial venue ruling.
The boy, now aged 15, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court charged with vehicle theft, unlawful seizure of a KuKirin G2 electric scooter and assaulting its male owner causing him harm on 18 June 2025.
Garda Fran Kennedy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He also told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions directs trial on indictment, in the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.
However, because of the boy's age, the defence is permitted, under Section 75 of the Children Act, to argue for keeping the case in the Children's Court.
That legislation allows the judge to consider accepting jurisdiction by taking into account a juvenile defendant's age, level of maturity, or other factors deemed relevant to the proceedings.
Judge Paul Kelly noted that there was no bail application and remanded the boy, who is in custody on remand, to appear again in April for a preliminary hearing to determine his trial venue. He has yet to enter a plea.
