A judge has ordered the arrest of a teenager convicted of attacking a Chinese woman who was pushed into a canal in Dublin when she challenged youths about racial taunts.

The 16-year-old was due to face a sentencing hearing at the Dublin Children's Court today; however, he did not turn up, and Judge Paul Kelly ordered a bench warrant.

The court heard he was not answering his phone, which the judge remarked was consistent with the contents of the latest probation report on the boy.

It was the second time he missed court in the proceedings.

Video footage went viral on social media site TikTok of the woman remonstrating with boys who laughed as she was suddenly knocked into the Royal Canal in Dublin 15, on the evening of August 14, 2020, after she challenged youths about racial taunts.

Two boys, now 16, were charged with assaulting Xeudan Xiong, 50, at the 12th Lock, Castleknock. They were aged 14 at the time.

They were found guilty by Judge Paul Kelly at a Dublin Children's Court hearing in September. The woman later told the court she forgave her attackers.

The judge commissioned probation reports on the pair with no prior criminal convictions.

Last year, the court imposed a 12-month probation bond on the co-defendant. That boy must stay out of trouble, remain supervised by the Probation Service and accept assistance from community-based agencies.

Reporting From Tom Tuite.