Limerick teen jailed six weeks for breaching mother's barring order

A Limerick teenager was sentenced to six weeks' detention after climbing onto the roof of his mother's home, breaching a barring order she had obtained against him.

Teen found on roof of barred home, sentenced to six weeks' detention

A Limerick teenager has been sentenced to six weeks' detention after breaching a barring order taken out by his own mother, limerickleader.ie reports.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court to make a bail application while already in custody on the matter.

The barring order was granted to the teenager's mother in December 2025. On 27 September, gardaí received a report of a breach and arrived to find the boy on the roof of the family home, a property he was legally forbidden from approaching. He was described as aggressive and agitated, shouting at officers. Gardaí talked him down from the roof and arrested him at the scene. A member of An Garda Síochána told the court he was effectively "caught red-handed" and had displayed "erratic behaviour."

The court heard that the teen has been barred not only from his home but has also been expelled from school and has previously spent time at Oberstown Children Detention Campus. He was offered emergency accommodation, which he declined. Both the court and his solicitor urged him to reconsider, noting it was the only alternative available to him.

A victim impact statement was provided to the defence, though Judge Harney said it "doesn't tell me anything really." It was alleged that the teenager had intimidated both parents, who fear he could harm them due to his "increasing unpredictability." His mother was described as "irate" with gardaí and in fear at the time of the incident.

Gardaí opposed bail, arguing that if released, the boy would return to the property. The teenager pleaded guilty to the offence. Judge Harney noted it was evident his mother wishes the barring order to remain in place.

Addressing the judge during the hearing, the boy said: "I know I am not welcome back," and later added: "It's a hard situation, it's my mother." Judge Harney emphasised that he needed to take advice from his solicitor and the Probation Service.

Bail was refused pending a sentencing hearing. The teenager was subsequently sentenced to six weeks' detention. His solicitor immediately lodged an appeal, and bail was granted pending its outcome. He is next due before Limerick District Court in October.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)