A teenage boy who stole a double decker bus in Dublin for 30 minutes has been spared a custodial sentence.
Dublin Children’s Court heard the teenager, who had left his care facility in Cork, managed to get the bus started and went on a drive along Dublin's Nass Road for about half an hour before bringing the bus back.
He then presented himself at Ballyfermot Garda station and pleaded guilty to the bus theft charge when he appeared before Judge Paul Kelly.
Charges for driving without a licence or insurance were dropped and the DPP directed that the case should not be sent to a higher court - a request Judge Kelly accepted.
The teen had one prior offence for stealing a phone in a supermarket in County Cork.
The court heard he is now in new accommodation in Dublin and looking to learn a trade.
Earlier, the judge granted the teen legal aid and told him to "stay off the buses other than being a passenger".
A six-month probation bond was imposed.
Reporting from Tom Tuite at Dublin Children’s Court.
Main image: A bus. Picture by: Finn Nocher / Alamy Stock Photo
