Teen 'Off His Face' Night Before Sentencing, Says Mum

The mother of an "out of control" 17-year-old burglar has told a judge her son was "out off his face last night on tablets," when he failed to turn up at to his hearing.

The boy, who had been previously described as "out of control" by a previous judge, was to stand accused of ransacking operating theatres in the Mater Hospital in Dublin and stealing vital medical equipment and potentially lethal drugs. The boy's mother then pleaded with a judge to "lock up" her son.

The teen had pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to trespassing, burglary, criminal damage and Public Order Act charges committed over the last two years. Earlier this month he had been remanded on bail pending sentence and for a probation report to be obtained.

However, when his case was called today, Judge Ann Ryan heard that the teen had been present but had left the courthouse.

His parents were present and his mother said: "He didn't come home last night, he's out of his face on tablets. Lock him up."

Judge Ryan issued a bench warrant to have the teenager arrested and brought before the court.

According to Garda Alan Fitzgerald of Mountjoy station the teenager was found asleep in the grounds of the hospital. He had consumed alcohol and was in possession of a large number of surgical instruments and medicines worth €2,500.

On his arrest, the teenager had no memory of what he had done due to being heavily intoxicated.

The court had also heard he attempted to burgle one of his grandmother's neighbours and in another incident vandalised three cars while heavily drunk and committing a breach of the peace.

The boy had earlier attended a special education school and had previously attended for counselling at the hospital, which he ransacked.

(DW/JM)