Threatened with robbery at knifepoint at SETU campus
Waterford Circuit Court has heard about an incident that took place at the Waterford campus of SETU, where two young males approached a man with a knife and attempted to rob him.
The offender who appeared in court last week is a juvenile and cannot be named for legal reasons.
He was 14 at the time of committing the offence.
On March 7, 2025, Gardaí received reports of an attempted robbery at the SETU campus.
The victim was walking through the campus and was approached by two young males who attempted to rob him, one of which was carrying a knife.
The incident took place on a footpath which links the campus to the main carpark.
The males attempted to grab the phone of the victim and take his wallet.
The victim put his hands up and said he had no cash, but that he was willing to be escorted to a nearby shop to allow the males to purchase whatever they wanted.
The males agreed and began walking with the victim. They were intercepted by a separate group of males, who told the offenders to leave.
The offender who appeared in court last week was identified via CCTV and was arrested. His accomplice is yet to be identified, the court was told.
During his interview with gardaí, the offender made only certain admissions.
He made the claim that he wasn’t holding a knife, but that it was a long, silver vape. Gardai didn’t accept this statement.
He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly said that a sentence of imprisonment was only meant as last resort when dealing with a young person.
If the offender had been over 18 at the time of the crime he would have gone to prison for several years, Judge O’Kelly said.
He placed the boy on probation bond for a period of 12 months.
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