14-Year-Old Faces Charges for Dublin Home Petrol Bomb Attack

A 14-year-old has been charged in connection with a petrol bomb attack at a home in Dublin in May earlier this year. He was charged with arson of the house on Landen Road in Ballyfermot on 21 May. The three occupants were treated for non-life-threatening injuries but their family dog died in the blaze.

The teen was remanded to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus after appearing before Judge Maire Conneely at Dublin District Court. The boy cannot be named because he is a juvenile with the right to anonymity. He made no reply when charged ahead of his court appearance after he was deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.

Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case. The judge noted that no bail terms would alleviate the concerns of the investigation team. A decision has yet to be made on his trial venue, but defence barrister Kevin McCrave submitted it was likely the case would go to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers.

He submitted that refusal of bail would mean he could be held for a year before his trial and disrupt his education. He urged the judge to note that the teenager would abide by a myriad of strict conditions available to the court. Referencing the Children's Act, he cited the law, which sets out that detention should be a last resort.

He stressed the teen had the presumption of innocence, no prior convictions, or history of drug abuse or failing to appear in court, and there was no witness intimidation evidence. However, Judge Conneely held that the garda had established a case for refusing bail and remanded the boy in custody to appear at the Children's Court on Wednesday.

Yesterday, a 15-year-old boy, also accused of arson, was denied bail too. That boy, who also has the right to anonymity due to his age, will appear again on Friday. Adult co-defendant Curtis Stafford, 23, of Rutland Grove, Crumlin, appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court on Friday, also facing a connected arson charge.

The man was refused bail and was remanded in custody to appear again on 11 July. All three have been granted legal aid.