Naas Courthouse Source: Google Maps

A CO KILDARE district judge is voicing ‘serious concerns’ for a 16-year-old boy in State care who is facing statutory rape charges after having consensual sex with a female the same age as him.

At Naas District Court yesterday, the Junior Certificate student appeared in relation to three charges of criminal damage in Co Kildare on 4, 5 and 6 April 2015.

At a previous appearance in Naas Court, Judge Desmond Zaidan had given him a warning to complete his Junior Certificate, following charges of criminal damage. Now he is facing charges of having sex with a girl at a social event in Co Dublin while on bail for criminal damage offences.

Evidence was given by defence solicitor Arthur Dennehy that the teenage boy met the girl at a social event in Dublin.

The court heard how the girl, who is not in state care, went home and told her parents that consensual sexual contact had happened with the accused. Mr Dennehy said that the parents, who come from a “decent family”, objected to this boy being in a relationship with their daughter.

They contacted gardai and pressed charges.

“His parents have let him down”

In court yesterday, the defence agreed with Judge Zaidan when he said:

Someone has to guide him and be firm, someone has to give him love. His parents have let him down.

Judge Zaidan outlined a report stating that the accused has a borderline personality disorder that impacts on his intellectual capacity and is having a “profound effect on his vulnerability to a negative peer group.”

The Judge said: “He is easily taken advantage of and needs the protection of the state.”

He warned solicitor for the State Shane Reynolds that he has “serious concerns” for the boy’s personal welfare.

He said:

I don’t think he understands what is going on.

Inspector Mel Smith did not object to granting the teenager bail.

Judge Zaidan remanded him on continuing bail to appear at Naas District Court in relation to the criminal damage charges.

It is anticipated that he will soon be appearing in court in Dublin facing charges of statutory rape.

Comments have been disabled as a case is still before the courts.