Curfew on teen addicted to THC
A 16-year-old who appeared at Cavan District Court on eight charges including two of possessing a knife and six of theft and handling stolen property, told the judge he was “addicted to THC”.
The teenager was granted bail on strict conditions for a string of alleged offences said to be committed over two months last summer.
He was accompanied to court on September 22 by his mother who, as the teenager’s named responsible adult, also had to sign his bail sheet.
The teenager had come to court from a rehab facility.
Giving evidence, Garda Christopher Lawlor from Cavan Garda Station said he arrested the juvenile at 8:36am that morning and when he cautioned him, the defendant made no reply. He was then conveyed to the courthouse.
“You’ve been a busy man, allegedly” Judge Raymond Finnegan said to the young man as he read his charge sheets, but the young defendant said: “Not so much any more.”
“That’s because you were snared by gardaí,” Judge Finnegan responded, but the juvenile said it was because he had been in rehab.
When Judge Finnegan asked him for what he was attending rehab, the young man said: “I’m addicted to THC.”
“At 16 years of age?” the judge blurted, “Mother of Christ!”
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis.
CHARGES
The offences the youth is charged with are alleged to have happened over a five-week period in May and June of this year.
He is accused of having a knife at Cavan General Hospital on May 3, and later that month, of stealing alcohol and groceries valued at €88 from the Centra store in Drumalee.
He is also charged with stealing groceries and alcohol worth €75.10 from Dunnes Stores in Cavan Town on June 9, and again of having a knife in his possession at Cavan Garda Station three days later on June 12.
He is further charged with committing two thefts in Drumgola Woods on June 10 including a Hugo Boss wallet and iPad valued at €1,440 belonging to one person and a pair of Edifire Headphones worth €50 from a female.
The juvenile is also charged with stealing a white River Island handbag valued at €20 from Maple Drive, Cavan Town, the following day, June 11.
The day after that, he was charged with handling stolen property namely the wallet and iPad at his home address on June 12.
Sergeant Damien Galligan said the State consented to the juvenile being granted bail but under certain strict conditions.
These include residing at his mother’s address and adhering to a curfew between 10pm and 7am. He must also sign on every Wednesday at Cavan Garda Station, carry a mobile phone and be available on it 24 hours a day, have no contact with the alleged injured parties or witnesses and abstain from illegal drugs or alcohol.
Presiding judge Raymond Finnegan asked the youth if he understood his bail terms and told him he is to be in his home by 10pm every night.
“Gardaí will be checking and, if you’re not there, you’ll be going to Oberstown,” the judge warned him. He also reminded him of the condition that he cannot take any alcohol or drugs while on bail.
“You shouldn’t anyway because you’re only 16,” Judge Finnegan commented before checking with his mother: “Do you understand, Mammy?”
The boy’s mother said she “completely” understood but asked: “If he takes drugs or alcohol is there anywhere I can bring him?”
“If that happens call gardaí straight away and he’ll be taken to Oberstown,” the judged advised her and she thanked him very much.
Judge Finnegan then remanded the youth on bail to appear at Cavan District Court again on December 12 for DPP directions.
Both mother and son signed the teenager’s bail bond as the judge reminded the woman: “If he doesn’t comply with that call the guards.”
* This article was published with support from the Court Reporting Scheme