Teen caused thousands in damage to Oberstown during escape

A 19-year-old from Strokestown, County Longford, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage, assault causing harm, and assault while attempting to commit theft following an incident at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus in Lusk on 29 May 2017. The court heard that the defendant struck the campus director in the head with a metal bar during a confrontation and subsequently escaped the facility by using an angle grinder to cut through the perimeter fence. The total damage caused was valued at €17,135. The defendant is currently serving a four-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended for related criminal damage offences at the same facility. He has 56 previous convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to 22 March 2019 pending the preparation of a governor's report and probation report.