Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6717Assault causing harm; production of a vice grip · Co. Dublin · 5 Dec 2022

Teenager sentenced to 28 months detention over Luas and Dublin assaults

On 5 December 2022 a 17-year-old Dublin boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was part of two separate groups that carried out unprovoked assaults on two students. In the first, on the red line Luas after the group boarded at Belgard stop, he allegedly struck a student several times with a vice grip, and in the second, on 17 January 2023, another assault occurred. He was arrested, but nothing of evidential value was obtained in interview. He pleaded guilty on signed pleas in the District Court to assault causing harm and production of a vice grip for December 2022, and to assault causing harm for January 2023, and was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Sentencing was reported on 22 January 2024, when the judge imposed 28 months detention.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The accused was part of two separate groups that carried out unprovoked assaults on two students.
  • The first victim was struck on the mouth, which damaged a tooth.
  • The second victim lost consciousness and sustained a large gash to his head requiring six staples and a minor fracture to his cheek.
Where
The first incident took place on the red line Luas after the group boarded at the Belgard stop.
When
The first incident occurred on 5 December 2022 and the second on 17 January 2023, both in Dublin.
Weapon
The accused had a vice grip in his pocket and used it to strike the first victim three or four times.
Investigation
The accused was arrested, but nothing of evidential value was obtained during interview.
Charges
  • The teenager pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and one count of production of a vice grip on a Luas on 5 December 2022.
  • The teenager pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 17 January 2023.
In court
The teenager was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas from the District Court.
Sentence
The judge imposed 28 months detention, with the teenager to liaise with relevant services during this period.
Other details
The judge said the aggravating factors included the level of violence, the use of a vice grip, and the repeated unprovoked nature of the offending.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused was part of two separate groups that carried out unprovoked assaults on two students. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe first victim was struck on the mouth, which damaged a tooth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe second victim lost consciousness and sustained a large gash to his head, requiring six staples and a minor fracture to his cheek. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe first incident took place on the red line Luas, after the group got on at the Belgard stop. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe accused had a vice grip in his pocket and used it to strike the first victim three or four times. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested, but nothing of evidential value was obtained during interview. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe teenager pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and one count of production of a vice grip on a Luas on December 5th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe teenager also pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on January 17th 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe teenager was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas from the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed 28 months detention, with the teenager to liaise with relevant services during this period. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said the aggravating factors included the level of violence, the use of a vice grip, and the repeated unprovoked nature of the offending. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Teenager who used vice grip in ‘shocking’ Luas attack given period of detention

    Sentencing report: the court imposed 28 months detention after the teenager pleaded guilty to two assaults, one on a Luas on December 5th 2022 and one on January 17th 2023. The judge noted aggravating factors and mitigation, and the teenager is described as having autism and ADHD.

    convicted, 17, malevictim, malevictim, male