A drunk 17-year-old youth started a row with his family and created a scene outside his home, the Dublin Children's Court heard yesterday.
The court was told the youth had a misunderstanding with his mother after he got drunk but she did not want the case to go further.
The youth's father explained that his son had gone out and got drunk. When he came home he was very abusive to his mother and had to be forcibly removed from the house. He said the youth then went "berserk" in their front garden and uprooted plants and threw them around. He also had words with several of the neighbours.
When asked why he had caused such a disgrace to his family in front of their neighbours, the youth said he had had too much to drink. He told Judge James Paul McDonnell he did not remember how much he had consumed but it was over 10 shots of vodka, which he had bought in an off-licence. Judge McDonnell said the youth was not yet "man enough" to know his drink limitations.
The youth told him he earned about €200 a week, of which he paid €50 to his parents. Judge McDonnell said he would strike out the charge.
He said the youth's parents should take the majority of his earnings or set up a savings account for their son because he was not spending his income wisely. The off-licence which had sold the vodka should also be pursued.