A woman was set on fire with lighter fluid and when the flames were put out, a 14-year-old boy poured a pot of boiling water over her during a New Year's Eve burglary, a court heard yesterday.
The Dublin Children's Court heard that the boy had already faced two assault charges arising out of the alleged incident.
Det Garda Andrew Digan, Kevin Street, said the boy was further charged with violent disorder, two counts of endangering the lives of the man and woman, and burglary, at a house in Dolphin's Barn, between New Year's Eve and January 1st last.
Det Garda Digan told Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick that the boy and another teenage boy and girl entered the house of a woman in her 60s. She had two visitors, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20, who were attacked.
Det Garda Digan said it was alleged that the boy attacked the man with a knife and a crutch. It was also alleged that the female visitor to the house was covered with lighter fluid and set on fire and when it was put out, the 14- year-old boy poured a pot of boiling water over her.
Judge Fitzpatrick ruled that the case was "much too serious to be heard in the Children's Court" and directed that the boy should be tried in the Circuit Criminal Court. He was released on restrictive bail until June . His bail conditions forbid him from having contact with a 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy who are facing charges in connection with the alleged burglary.
He is also banned from having any contact with the people concerned and is forbidden from going to St James's Hospital where it was earlier alleged he and the 16-year-old boy intimidated the woman. The court had earlier heard that the male victim wore disguises daily because he feared intimidation and he was described as living in "genuine fear" after threats had been shouted through his letter box.
Earlier this week the court ruled that the 17-year-old girl, who is facing charges of assault, burglary and endangerment of the lives of two people, should be tried in the Circuit Criminal Court because of their seriousness. The 16-year-old boy is also on similar restrictive bail pending further charges.