Boy charged with forcing men into canal in muggings

A semi-literate 16-year-old boy is to face trial for mugging two foreign nationals, while armed with a corkscrew, and then forcing…

A semi-literate 16-year-old boy is to face trial for mugging two foreign nationals, while armed with a corkscrew, and then forcing them into the Royal Canal in Dublin.

He is the second teenager to be charged with the offence in which the victims' lives were put in danger.

The boy appeared at the Dublin Children's Court where he was charged with robbery of a mobile phone and €25 from German national Carsten Haueis, at the Royal Canal, in Dublin, on October 31st, last year.

He was also charged with recklessly endangering the man's life by forcing him into the Royal Canal, which created a substantial risk of causing death or serious harm to him.

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The north Dublin boy, who was supported in court by his mother, was also charged with a related offence for the production of a steel corkscrew, as an offensive weapon, with the intent to intimidate during a robbery.

The boy faces similar allegations in connection with an attempted mugging of a Chinese man, on the same date and at the same location.

He was further charged with reckless endangerment of the life of Wei Gao by forcing him into the Royal Canal against his will which created a substantial risk of causing death or serious harm.

He is also charged with attempted robbery and production of a steel corkscrew during this alleged incident, Judge Catherine Murphy heard.

Garda Brian Quirke said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that the case should be sent forward for trial on indictment to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and not heard in the Children's Court.

Judge Murphy granted legal aid and remanded the teenager on bail for two weeks, after which he is to be served with the book of evidence and sent for trial to the higher court.