Youth accused of train rampage after pulling emergency cord

A Dublin youth is to face trial accused of a vandalism rampage after he allegedly forced a train to a sudden stop by pulling the emergency chord.

The 17-year-old boy, from the city’s northside, is charged with criminal damage to the value of €3,453 to windows on a Sligo-Dublin train on June 27th last.

In an outline of the allegations, Garda Eoin Pelly told Judge John O'Connor that the accused was in possession of three bottles of beer when he boarded the train at Maynooth station at about 1pm.

The Dublin Children’s Court heard he “got into a verbal altercation with another passenger which led to a physical assault where the accused received a number of cuts to the head”.

Garda Pelly said it was alleged the youth “went to the back of the carriage, took possession of a shatter hammer and pulled the emergency cord just outside Ashtown station”.

Garda Pelly said it was alleged the teen then tried to “break a number of windows on the train”.

When the train was stationary the driver emerged to see what was happening, the court heard.

Garda Pelly said the accused managed to exit via the driver’s cab and “ran down the tracks towards Broombridge station”.

Judge O’Connor also heard the incident was captured on CCTV.

The youth has not yet entered a plea to the charge and was accompanied to court today by his mother. He remained silent during the proceedings.

After listening to an outline of the allegations, the judge said a Section 75 hearing would have to take place. This involves the defence pleading for the case to be retained in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and not sent to the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

The Children Act says a juvenile court has discretion to accept jurisdiction to deal with certain serious cases by taking into consideration the accused’s age, level of maturity as well as any other relevant factors.

Defence solicitor Geraldine McKenzie said she has had disclosure of copies of the prosecution evidence.

Judge O’Connor remanded the boy on continuing bail to appear again later this month, when the court will hear the defence arguments and make a ruling on the trial venue issue.