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A dispute between teens over Facebook comment allegations led to the stabbing of a teenager, a court has heard.
During the 2015 attack, the 15-year-old victim was repeatedly stabbed, beaten and kicked by several teenagers.
Aaron Flanagan (23) of Macroom Road, Coolock, Dublin, Jordan Ennis (23) of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin and his sister Lucy Ennis (21) of Parkside Avenue, Malahide Road, Balgriffin, Dublin subsequently pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault that caused damage to Edenmore Park, Raheny on September 19, 2015.
After hearing the evidence at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan ordered the three to remain in custody until tomorrow.
The victim, who is now an adult, cannot be identified due to a recent decision by the Court of Appeal on the identification of child victims of crime.
Garda Detective Shane McGrath testified that the victim was in the park when he saw a group of four teenagers yelling at a girl he knew, accusing her of “putting things on Facebook” about one of them.
The victim told the girl that she should leave the park and he began to accompany her. The four girls followed him and he told the girl to run.
He turned to speak to Ms. Ennis and told her that “there was no need to fight.” She started hitting and kicking him while he tried to hold her back.
After seeing that the single girl had run away, the victim left the scene, but the four girls followed him and accused him of “hitting” Ms. Ennis and called him a “bastard.”
Ms. Ennis threatened to harm him and the court heard that she called her brother and told him that the victim had beaten her.
James McCullough BL, defending Jordan Ennis, told the court that his client felt he “had to act the tough guy” and made a “disastrous decision.”
The victim was leaving a fast food restaurant later that night when Ennis, her sister, and others approached her.
The court heard that Ms. Ennis was “going crazy” and yelled that he had beaten her, but the victim denied it.
Her brother said “Lucy, you better not lie” before grabbing the victim and stabbing him four or five times in the back. Flanagan and another man began beating the victim on the head and body with crutches.
The court heard that the “terrified” victim “ran for his life” and had left the park when he ran out of power and collapsed. Another teenager caught up with him and dragged him down the road where he was again assaulted, including the stabbing of Jordan Ennis.
The victim was taken from the scene by an older man and then lost consciousness before being taken to the hospital.
Det. Gda Healy agreed with Ronan Munro SC, defending Ms Ennis, that her client had never come to the attention of the garda before or after the incident.
Judge Nolan said it could be suggested that Ms. Ennis “was the instigator.” Munro responded that at the time his client was a 15-year-old with a history of mental health problems.
She said she felt humiliated and called her brother, but that “after that, individuals made decisions and then decisions were made that were not their decisions.” Garda Healy agreed with the lawyer that his client was not involved in the altercation in which the victim was stabbed.
Munro said his client has had a child with her partner since the incident, but that her boyfriend was killed a few months after their son was born.
Det. Gda Healy agreed with McCullough that Jordan Ennis was previously a “law-abiding young man” and this attack was “completely out of character.”
The court heard that his older brother Jamie Ennis was killed and Mr. McCullough said his client was a different person, but that night “it was almost as if he had to replace what his older brother would have done.”
He said his client was now aware of the consequences of his actions and had brought € 14,000 to court to offer the victim as a token of his repentance.
Justin McQuaid BL, for Flanagan, told the court that his client deeply regrets his involvement in the attack. He said that he realized things had gotten out of hand and did not get involved in the second attack.
He said his client now has a long-term relationship and is working and coaching soccer.
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