A shoolboy who suffered psychological trauma following a gang attack in Dublin's Temple Bar is afraid to go back into the city-centre, the Children's Court has been told.
Judge Peter Smithwick heard yesterday that a gang of teenagers attacked the schoolboy and robbed him only of his mobile phone. Since the attack, the victim had been unable to study and had to have counselling.
A 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty yesterday to the robbery on April 15th.
Garda Darren McCarthy told Judge Smithwick that the victim, who is 15, was set upon by three youths. He was knocked to the ground and held down until the gang succeeded in taking his phone. While pinned to the ground the victim was told not to move or he would be beaten up.
He had alerted a patrolling garda and had been able to point out the defendant, who had been arrested. The phone had not been recovered.
Earlier, the case had been put back by Judge Miriam Malone to facilitate preparation of a medical report on the victim's recovery since the incident. A doctor had recommended psychological counselling to help the victim to recover from the mugging.
Judge Smithwick remanded the defendant on bail until June 17th.