Kildare youth gets chance after telling judge he wants to be a plumber
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A TEENAGE boy in detention for another offence, who stole €43 from an unlocked car, was given a chance despite previous convictions, and given the Probation Act after he told the judge he’d like to be a plumber.
The boy appeared in Athy District Court last week (24 March) from the dock accompanied by his mother, while the court heard how he was “seen acting suspiciously by a mobile patrol on 5 October” and after a short chase made admissions of taking the money from an unlocked car in Athy on that date.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan explained how the boy had four previous convictions, two for theft one for car theft and one for criminal damage.
“I take it the money was returned to the owner?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“Yes,” said the investigating officer.
His barrister Hugo Mills explained how his client was 15 years old at the time and had a release date from his present detention “at the start of May”.
He explained how the boy was attending a youth service, was accompanied by his mother in the dock, and that “the father is not in the picture”.
The mother told the judge her son had “language difficulties that proved difficult for school”.
“A 15-year-old boy already in prison, you don’t want that,” said the judge.
“It’s one thing being mischievous, it’s different being criminal.
“I’ll give you this chance, but your luck will eventually run out.
“Hopefully, the education system will work with you and educate you back to your own level – maybe get an apprenticeship,” he said.
“I want to be a plumber,” said the boy.
“That’s what you should be thinking, not spending your life in jail. That’s a sound profession.
“It’s up to you. You should not be in prison.
“If your friends are leading you wrong, get new friends.
“I will give you a chance,” said the judge, invoking the Probation Act, which would not add to his conviction count.
