A 17 year-old, who assaulted an American tourist in Temple Bar and a Garda in Blackrock Park, has been sentenced to three years detention, with 12 months suspended, by a Dublin Circuit Court judge.
Garda Paul O'Shea told the court that Garda Séamus Ryan was walking through Blackrock Park on March 24th, 2003 when he intervened as a gang of youths attack an elderly man.
The defendant threw a can of lager at Garda Ryan and punched him several times in the head.
Garda Damien Cairns told Mr Tony Hunt BL, prosecuting, that later the same month the defendant grabbed a mobile phone from an American tourist in Temple Bar.
Mr Lauren Fischer, of Salt Lake City, held on to the defendant's hooded top in an effort to retrieve the phone. Two witnesses saw the defendant kick Mr Fischer in the face as he bent to pick up the phone.
Garda O'Shea told Judge White that the defendant had several previous convictions for theft and damage.
Defence counsel told Judge White that the youth realises he deserves punishment and "wishes to take his medicine and face the music from your lordship".
The defendant's mother told Judge White her son had a troubled adolescence. She said he had been thrown out of the family home for intolerable behaviour.
A place in a Swedish treatment centre had been found for the youth which the Health Board had agreed to pay for. The mother said she believes the treatment would rehabilitate her son.
However, Judge White handed down the sentence, saying there was a high risk the youth would re-offend and despite a tragic upbringing, he must take responsibility for his actions.