16-year-old tried to break into car in Waterford city
Waterford Courthouse
A man has appeared in court for offences of criminal damage and drug possession.
The defendent, who is now 18 years old, committed the offences when he was a juvenile and cannot legally be identified.
He pleaded guilty to committing an offence of Criminal Damage on January 25, 2025, when he was 16 years old.
On this date, he damaged the driver's window and ignition of a Nissan Micra.
In a separate incident that occurred in June 2025, when the boy was 17 years old, gardaí patrolling the Newgate Street area of Waterford city observed him throw a gear bag over a wall at approximately 3am.
Gardaí found €50 of cocaine in the bag.
The defendant appeared in Waterford District Court last week to receive a sentence.
His defence solicitor, Hilary Delahunty, said it is odd that current legislation determines that if a defendant turns 18, they will be dealt with in an adult court even if they committed their offences when they were a minor.
Mr. Delahunty said that his client has “put his past behind him” and has since been engaging with various support groups and projects in Waterford.
Judge Catriona Murray said she would give the man a chance, owing to his young age and no previous convictions.
The matters will be struck out if he comes to no further adverse Garda attention in the next six months.
He was also ordered to contribute €50 to the court’s poor box.
