A 16-year-old passenger in a stolen sports car which was driven into a Garda car, killing two gardaí, has pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges arising out of the incident.
The accused youth, who was 15 at the time and is from Dublin's south inner city, admitted stealing a mobile phone, car keys, house keys, a cheque and a wallet containing cash and bank and credit cards from an apartment at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey, on April 14th, 2002.
He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking possession of a vehicle without the owner's consent and, knowing that the vehicle had been stolen, to allowing himself to be carried in it on the same date. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
The accused was with another youth who was allegedly driving the stolen Mazda MX5. The stolen car crashed into a patrol car on the Stillorgan dual-carriageway and instantly killed Garda Tony Tighe and Garda Michael Padden.
Mr Anthony Sammon SC, defending, told Judge Des Hogan that his client was serving a period of detention in Trinity House and he asked that he be remanded there. Otherwise, he would be sent to St Patrick's Institution.
Mr Sammon said that the youth was doing well in Trinity House and he deserved the chance to continue his progress. Judge Hogan consented to the application.
Counsel added that, because of the complex background to the case and the tragic deaths of the gardaí, the evidence could take some time on the day.
Mr Fergal Foley, barrister, said that it might be appropriate to order victim impact reports on the families of the deceased gardaí because there would be no doubt that they had been left severely traumatised by the deaths.
Judge Hogan agreed and adjourned the case until January 22nd, when evidence of the crimes would be given.
Mr Foley added that the second youth had been charged with manslaughter and was due before the court on December 11th for arraignment.