A youth charged with the manslaughter of a schoolboy, Alan Higgins, was put under a tighter curfew yesterday after a court heard that he had been arrested for breach of the peace since he was last given bail.
Alan Higgins (17) died after he was allegedly attacked and robbed near the UCI cinema complex in Coolock, Dublin on the night of October 12th last.
Judge Terence Finn heard at the Dublin Children's Court that the 15-year-old boy, who has been on bail under strict conditions, including a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, since he was first charged, has been arrested on fresh charges.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and charged before the Children's Court yesterday with two non-related offences which occurred on January 2nd. He made no reply to these charges after he was cautioned, Judge Finn was told.
The charge sheets read that he was arrested under Section 6 of the Public Order Act for engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. He was also charged under Section 8 of the Public Order Act for failing to comply with the directions of a garda on the same date.
Det Sgt Donal Brazel applied to alter the existing curfew requirements which compelled the youth to sign on daily at Coolock Garda station and obey a curfew to ensure he was at home every night. Det Sgt Brazel told the judge that he wanted the curfew hours extended by four hours, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
The case against the 15-year-old has been delayed pending the preparation and service of a book of evidence before it is sent forward for trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. Directions from the DPP in relation to two 16-year-old boys charged with associated offences are still being sought, the court heard yesterday.