A Dublin teenager was charged with motoring offences for driving a taxi car after he allegedly pulled its driver from his seat and led gardai on chase, the Dublin Children's Court heard yesterday.
Judge Geoffrey Browne was told that the 17-year-old boy had been charged under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act for unlawfully taking the car on February 20 last.
Outlining the alleged circumstances leading to the teenager's arrest, Ballyfermot Garda David O'Callaghan said that a taxi driver was pulled out of his car by the youth who then took control of it and drove away. It was also alleged that there was a pursuit and the youth caused "serious damage" to the taxi.
Garda O'Callaghan told the court that he arrested the teenager on the Clover Hill Road, Ballyfermot at 12.35 a.m. on February 20. The boy was then taken to Ballyfermot Garda Station and charged at 3.19 a.m.. He made "no reply" when cautioned, the court heard.
Garda O'Callaghan applied for a remand pending directions from the DPP. However, Judge Browne said, after hearing the alleged facts, that he would refuse jurisdiction to hear the case.
The teenager was remanded on bail until April 25 next.