Rioting charges against youth withdrawn

The prosecution of a youth who was accused of throwing bricks and stones at gardaí when rioting broke out during Queen Elizabeth…

The prosecution of a youth who was accused of throwing bricks and stones at gardaí when rioting broke out during Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Dublin in May last year has been withdrawn.

Protesters and rioters clashed with gardaí during the State visit when the queen was about to visit the Garden of Remembrance in the city centre.

In December, the 17-year-old youth made his first court appearance on charges connected to the violence.

The teenager was accused of a breach of the peace at Dorset Street in the city centre on May 17th last year. He was also accused of failing to leave the scene when cautioned.

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His third charge was under offensive weapons legislation for throwing bricks and stones at gardaí on the same date.

The court had been told earlier that there was extensive footage in the case but yesterday Judge Ann Ryan agreed to a request by the prosecution to withdraw and strike out the case.

The teenager was not in court for the application yesterday. Dublin Children’s Court has already heard that he had mental health difficulties related to substance abuse.

He is also awaiting trial at the Children’s Court for a separate offence.