A judge has ruled that a schoolboy involved with others in "extreme bullying" of a younger boy at a Limerick school will escape a conviction.

The then 13-year old victim was stamped upon and repeatedly beaten by older pupils at the school on unknown dates in March 2015.

At the accused's sentencing hearing on Thursday, his solicitor alleged there had been a serious lack of supervision of students at the school at the time.

Gardaí told the court this was a case of extreme bullying at a school that cannot be identified.

A 13-year-old boy attending the school was dragged, stamped upon and repeatedly beaten by his attackers - who were all older students.

The boy had water thrown in his face, his head was banged off a wall and he was told to kiss the feet of the older boys who bullied him.

The accused, now aged 22, admitted one count of assault causing harm.

The others were not prosecuted as they had accepted juvenile cautions.

The accused's solicitor claimed at the time there was no supervision of the boys, and alleged the school environment was "akin to a time of Lord of The Flies".

The accused was told he has 12 months to make a €1,000 contribution to the court poor box in lieu of a conviction.

Reporting by David Raleigh