A LIMERICK teenager who is alleged to have driven cows into a housing estate and regularly rides a horse around the streets has been banned from entering Ballinacurra Weston for 12 months.
At Limerick children’s court Judge Marian O’Leary was told that the teenager is also accused of being involved in a stabbing and being “the ring leader” of a gang of youths responsible for large-scale anti social behaviour in the area for more than two years.
The teen, who appeared in court with his father, was opposing an application by Limerick City and County Council to bar him from the area.
In one of the first cases of its kind before the courts in Limerick, council solicitor Ger Reidy said the local authority was seeking the order as a “last resort”.
Council Tenancy Enforcement Officer Michael Hartnett said the first complaint about the teenager was made as far back as April 8, 2013 when he was accused of “battering a house and a horse with stones”.
Detailing almost a dozen serious incidents reported to the council by “terrified neighbours, Mr Hartnett said the teen was seen fighting while armed with a hatchet; blocking a road with burning tyres and straw as well as threatening neighbours who were “terrified to go about their business”.
For a period in 2014, taxis refused to come to the area and a regular public bus service was postponed because the buses were being hit by stones.
The teen was regularly seen riding around the estate on a horse and was accused of being involved in several acts of criminal damage to council houses and property.
He was also charged in connection with a stabbing and was subject to bail conditions although the case was eventually dropped.
Detective Gary Laide said that the teenager had failed to engage with the (JLO) Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme which was designed to steer youngsters away from trouble.
He was also accused of driving stolen cars at high-speed through the local estates.
He had recorded more than 40 criminal convictions, including a number for assault, public order, road traffic matters and the possession of a flick knife and knuckle duster. The convictions came after 87 referrals to the JLO programme and eight Garda cautions.
Defence solicitor John Herbert said that the teenager had been in the care of the State as a boy but had since returned to live with his father “and things have settled down somewhat”.
However, Judge O’Leary granted the banning order, allowing him to enter Ballinacurra Weston to visit his grandmother who lives in the area.
