nTwo teenage sisters arrested during a Garda investigation into thefts from vulnerable adults in Dublin have been ordered to stay away from people with intellectual disabilities. The pair, aged 16 and 17, appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday, where more charges were levelled against them today. Officers from the Serious Crime Unit at Pearse Street Garda Station originally arrested the two girls last week and detained them under Section 4 of the criminal Justice Act to be questioned. They were each charged with theft of €500 from Joshua Spurling,23,at Aston Quay,Dublin 2,on 21 January. The student with Down syndrome from Greystones, Co Wicklow, had been on a college trip to the city that day. The complainant’s mother, Ruth Spurling, spoke on RTÉ’s Liveline last week. The girls, accompanied to the hearing by their mother, have an address in Co Dublin. garda Sergeant Robbie Byrne had told Judge Brendan Toale that they “made no reply” when charged. the judge imposed bail terms that they must remain out of Dublin 2 with the usual exception for attending for legal advice, and he told them to reside at their current home address. The girls, accompanied to court by their mother, were then remanded on bail to appear again in February, pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Though, today, they were brought back before the same court on three fresh charges for stealing various sums totalling €703 from another male at two locations on 20 January in the city center: a store in the Ilac shopping centre and a shop at College Green. The new charges were put back to the same date in February to join up with the allegations opened in court yesterday. Though, Judge Paul Kelly added another bail condition stating they must stay away from people with intellectual disabilities or any education courses they attend. The girls, who had been granted legal aid and portrayal, have yet to enter a plea. A decision has yet to be made on whether their case will remain in the Children’s Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
Two Teenage Sisters Charged in Dublin Theft Case Involving Vulnerable Adults
Two teenage sisters, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of thefts targeting vulnerable adults in Dublin. The pair, who cannot be named due to their status as minors, appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court yesterday, where additional charges were brought against them today. The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the alleged crimes and the vulnerability of the victims.
the sisters were initially arrested last week by officers from the Serious Crime Unit at Pearse Street Garda Station. They were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning.The first charges stemmed from an incident on 21 January, where they allegedly stole €500 from Joshua Spurling, a 23-year-old student with Down syndrome from Greystones, Co Wicklow. Spurling had been on a college trip to Dublin at the time of the incident. his mother,Ruth Spurling,shared her distress on RTÉ’s Liveline last week,highlighting the emotional toll on her family.
During their court appearance, the sisters were accompanied by their mother. Garda Sergeant Robbie Byrne informed Judge Brendan Toale that the girls “made no reply” when charged.The judge imposed strict bail conditions, requiring them to stay out of Dublin 2, except for legal consultations, and to reside at their current home address. They were remanded on bail and are scheduled to reappear in February, pending further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Today,the sisters faced three additional charges related to thefts totalling €703 from another individual on 20 January. The incidents occurred at a store in the Ilac shopping centre and a shop at College Green. These new charges were adjourned to the same February date to be consolidated with the earlier allegations. Judge Paul Kelly added a further bail condition, mandating that the sisters stay away from people with intellectual disabilities and any educational courses they attend.
The sisters have been granted legal aid and representation but have yet to enter a plea.A decision is pending on whether their case will remain in the Children’s Court or be escalated to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
Key Details of the Case
| Detail | Information |
|——————————–|———————————————————————————|
| Defendants | Two sisters, aged 16 and 17 |
| Initial Charges | Theft of €500 from Joshua Spurling on 21 January |
| Additional Charges | Theft of €703 from another individual on 20 January |
| Bail Conditions | Stay out of Dublin 2, reside at home, avoid people with intellectual disabilities |
| Next Court Date | February, pending DPP directions |
| Potential Court | Children’s Court or Circuit Court |
This case underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in society. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and addressing the broader implications of such crimes.For more updates on this case, stay tuned to our coverage.