[Article] Teenager remanded on bail over theft of €20

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...262292200.html

Teenager remanded on bail over theft of €20
TOM TUITE

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy, who managed to steal €20 from a Luas ticket dispensing machine by prodding it with a stick, has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

The Romanian teenager, who came to Ireland about six months ago, claimed he needed the money for food.

He pleaded guilty at the Children’s Court yesterday to the theft on Dublin’s Abbey Street, on September 4th last. He also admitted failing to move from the vicinity of the Jervis Luas stop, when he had been cautioned under the Public Order Act, on November 27th last.

Garda Elaine Holmes told Judge William Early that during the theft the teenager “stuck a stick” into the ticket dispensing machine, and €20 in coins came out.

During the second incident the teenager had been cautioned to move away from the Jervis stop after becoming aggressive towards Luas security staff.

Judge Early noted that the out of school boy, who was accompanied to his case by an adult cousin, had no prior convictions.

Defence solicitor Maura Kiely said her client, who lives in south Dublin, came to Ireland with his family six months ago and was apologetic. She submitted that on the day of the theft the boy “needed money for food”. Ms Kiely said the boy’s mother was unwell and “things were bad at home”.

Judge Early remanded the boy on bail for sentencing in June to allow time for a Probation and Welfare Service report on him to be given to the court. He ordered that the report would have to place emphasis on the teenager engaging with the education system.

The judge indicated that if a favourable report were furnished he may strike out the charge.

[Mark Gleeson]

How do I repeat this €20 extraction routine

Seems like a massive weakness