Two youths found guilty of 'daunting' violent disorder at Dublin DART station

• Published date: 17 May 2022
• Author: Tom Tuite
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

CCTV footage emerged of a 17-year-old girl at Howth junction station falling between the platform and a stationary train on April 1 last year. She was helped up by her friends and staff

The two boys were charged with violent disorder. The judge accepted jurisdiction for the cases to remain in the Dublin Children's Court where they pleaded not guilty, and the case went to a full hearing.

The prosecution had video footage from the station's CCTV system, a security guard's body cam, and evidence from a second teenage girl who interacted with the group.

The court heard gardai identified the pair with the help of confidential information from the public.

Judge Kelly was told security guards put a group of about 10 youths off a train due to anti-social behaviour complaints. However, they were still on the platform as some girls came and tried to catch the train.

One of the 17-year-old boys swung his foot at a girl from his bike, making contact with her head.

In evidence, she described it as "daunting", and she said, "one of them lunged at me".

That happened shortly before a related incident in which a second teenage girl was knocked head-first from the platform under the stationary train.

An OCS security man raised the alarm with the train driver and pulled that girl back onto the platform.

Defence solicitor Michael Byrne sought a dismissal on the grounds of lack of evidence that they used or threatened to use violence which would cause a person to fear for their or others' safety.

However, state solicitor Mairead White submitted that there was evidence supporting the charge, which established the youths acted together and it was a "joint enterprise".

Judge Kelly held that there was a clear threat of violence. Furthermore...