A TEENAGER has appeared in court on a series of public order and assault charges.
Among the charges against the youth is of biting a member of An Garda Síochána and public order incidents at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The case of the youth, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was heard before Judge Paul Kelly at Letterkenny District Court this week.
On May 13, 2019, Gardaí responded to a call of an incident Letterkenny University Hospital. Gardaí spoke to the youth, who became aggressive.
The teenager told Gardai to ‘go fuck yourselves’ and attempted to strike one of the Gardaí. Staff were concerned for the patients in the immediate vicinity.
On December 22, 2018, Gardaí received a report of an intoxicated male at Market Square, Letterkenny at 2.30am. Officers observed the male shouting at passing members of the public, looking to fight. The male was laying with is t-shirt off and began to shout obscenities at Gardaí.
On February 2, 2019, Gardai received a call of a young male intoxicated at College Road, Letterkenny. The youth began to swear aggressively at Gardaí while stumbling against a nearby wall.
On June 25, 2019, Gardaí were called to a public order incident at the Emergency Department of Letterkenny University Hospital. A male was acting aggressively towards staff and the disturbance was preventing him from receiving the treatment he required.
The aggressiveness continued in the presence of Gardaí.
On December 19, 2018, Gardaí attended the scene of an alleged assault at the Courtyard Shopping Centre. A youth was asked to leave due to previous incidents. Upon this instruction, the youth pushed and head-butted a member of staff.
On March 22, 2019, Gardaí received a call of a young male attempting to jump over a bridge at Oldtown. When Gardaí arrived, the male became ‘extremely aggressive and abusive’.
“He was extremely violent and became totally uncooperative,” Sergeant Jim Collins said. “He was swinging his head violently and his whole body had to be restrained. As Gardaí were restraining him, he bit a Garda on the leg.”
The teenager has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien said his client wished to make a public apology through him in court.
“He co-operated when these incidents occurred and he wished to convey his apologues,” he said.
“What happened shouldn’t have happened. Alcohol and tables have been a problem and have let to erratic and irrational behaviour.”
The case was adjourned to April 15 to allow for the preparation of a probation and community service report.