In a recent sentencing at Dublin’s Children’s Court, a 17-year-old boy received community service after carrying out a “rage-filled” attack on a lesbian couple, leaving them with “horrible injuries.” The incident, categorized by the Gardaí as a hate crime, occurred when the boy, who was 15 at the time, used a homophobic slur and repeatedly punched the lesbian couple as they were cuddling at a bus shelter in Dublin on 16 May 2022. The assailant was also under the influence of drugs and on bail for another offense.
Victims Robyn Deane and Kate McCabe found themselves confronted by the boy and another man at the bus shelter. The defendant verbally abused them, shouting “two f*****g dykes” before physically assaulting McCabe. He continued to strike her, shouting in her face and hitting her multiple times. Deane tried to intervene, but the man joined the attack, allegedly hitting her from behind. The defendant then turned his aggression towards Deane, striking her multiple times with punches to her face and head. A witness described the attack as “rage-filled,” with one of the victims crying out for help.
At the sentencing, the teen was ordered to complete 160 hours of community service or face a four-month term in custody. The attack left the couple with “horrible injuries.” One of the victims required five months to recover and suffered psychological trauma, while McCabe suffered bruising to her neck, arms, and hand, and her partner sustained soft tissue injuries, a black eye, and swollen lips.
Judge Paul Kelly emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the teen was “very lucky to be walking out of here today.” The defendant expressed his intention to write a letter of apology to the couple. The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to 22-year-old Deane and her partner McCabe, 25, at Drumcondra Road Upper in the city’s north side earlier in May 2022.
Despite his young age, the teen had a troubling criminal record with 12 convictions, including eight robberies. He appeared in court with his mother, and it was revealed that his family life had been marked by turmoil due to parental alcoholism and drug use. His defense argued that medical problems had also impacted his level of maturity. An adult accomplice involved in the attack is awaiting trial.
Judge Kelly acknowledged that the latest probation report indicated the teen had made positive changes, describing him as a “different young man” from the one the court had dealt with earlier in the year. Additionally, it was noted that he had stopped using drugs. This case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of hate crimes on the LGBTQ community and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
