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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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District Judge Barney McElholm
A judge has slammed the legislation covering juveniles breaching bail as 'a tragedy waiting to happen'.
District Judge Barney McElholm was speaking as he dealt with a case of a 16-year-old girl charged with breaching her bail by consuming alcohol.
The girl is charged with criminal damage to computers belonging to the Western Trust on May 21 valued at £1,400.
She is also charged with assaulting a female and stealing alcohol on the same date.
When she appeared today Judge McElholm said 'due to an absolutely ridiculous piece if legislation the court has no choice' but to release her again.
Stating that the girl should be in secure accommodation he asked: "What would happen if one of these children is found face down in a gutter or a ditch somewhere?"
He said in that case all those involved would 'scurry around' to avoid blame.
The girl was re-released on bail to appear again at the next sitting of the Youth Court.
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