Robbery: The boy appeared in court along with his mother
A THEN 15-year-old Dublin boy has been spared a custodial sentence for taking part in an armed robbery at a pharmacy in Co. Kildare.
Dublin Children's Court heard that €900 in cash and €500 worth of prescription medication were taken when the boy and a 41-year-old man entered a chemist at Main St Cellbridge on March 6 last. They were wearing masks and the now 16-year-old boy was wielding an axe, the court heard.
The pair fled the area in a car and were pursued by gardai who caught up with them in west Dublin.
The boy, who was accompanied to his hearing by his mother and lawyer, had no previous convictions and had been under the influence of the older man, who is an addict, the court heard.
Judge John O'Connor was furnished with a pre-sentence probation report on the boy. The boy has come to garda attention since but faces no further charges and has returned to school, the court heard.
Judge O'Connor released the teenager on a 12 months' probation bond. He will remain under supervision of a probation officer for the next year in an effort to divert him from crime.
The boy must not re-offend and he has to co-operate with his probation officer and address the impact of offending on victims. He was also told he has to stay in education and attend a counselling service for troubled teens.
Breaching the terms of the order will result in him being brought back to court to face the possibility of a more severe penalty including a detention order.