Kildare teen gets warning for assault and racial abuse
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A YOUTH who racially abused and assaulted another teen in Athy avoided jail recently.
The 16-year-old was due in Athy District Court for a hearing, having originally pleaded not guilty, however solicitor Jackie McManus said he had changed his plea, and was “very, very sorry”.
The assault and abuse occurred at Canalside in the town on 24 July, 2025 and the young injured party was accompanied in court by his mother.
“OK. A Probation Bond for 12 months,” the judge ruled for the defendant before adding: “If he’s back before me in that time, I will jail him for two years”.
“You’ve done well on the project (Athy diversion programme), but you have to work with the probation team, you must fully comply with all their instructions.
“You’re his uncle, can you get him on the straight and narrow?” he said to the defendant’s accompanying adult.
“He has some others (charges) coming,” Ms McManus warned, which prompted the judge to issue his two-year warning again.
The judge later became aware at the sitting that the defendant was allegedly involved in a separate incident where he was passenger in car that became involved in a garda pursuit.
The defendant is due before the court on related charges in the coming weeks.
