A 17-year-old boy in the care of the State has been convicted of two counts of theft at Mullingar District Court.
Judge Conal Gibbons heard that the offences took place at a shop in Mullingar on January 18 and 20 this year when the youth stole four bales of briquettes valued at €15.60 and later three bags of coal valued at €28.50.
A charge of unlawfully taking a vehicle was struck out when Judge Gibbons decided the charge was inappropriate. While there was evidence that the boy was in the vehicle, there was no evidence that he had taken it.
A bench warrant had been issued for the youth who failed to turn up to court on time.
The judge questioned why neither the HSE or the boy’s social worker were not in court, since they are acting in loco parentis.
He said his foster father was doing the best he could and expressed his puzzlement over the fact that no representative from the HSE was present.
As the HSE were “legally obliged to come for the boy, he would expect some level of support.
Judge Gibbons convicted the boy but did not impose sentence.
There is a three year suspended sentence in place from Mullingar Circuit Court since July 2008, and the case must be returned to the Circuit Court where the judge may decide to implement the sentence.
Sentencing in these cases will take place at a later date.
