Teenage trio accused of causing thousands of euro of damage to house

Three teenagers have appeared in court charged with breaking into a house that was under construction and causing several thousands of euro of damage.

The trio, two of whom are aged 17 and their 18-year-old co-accused, who was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offence, appeared before Judge Vincent Deane last week charged with trespassing and committing criminal damage at Lisclogher, Great Delvin, Westmeath on July 20, 2025.

Sgt Orla Keenan, in disclosing the state evidence for the purpose of jurisdiction, said the incident concerned a “sealed up” property that was being developed at the time.

She said there was “considerable damage” caused to the property and an estimated clean-up bill of €12,000.

Judge Vincent Deane accepted jurisdiction and granted legal aid to all three teenagers.

Louis Kiernan, defending, represented all three, the youngest of whom he said was currently under the care of the state’s Child and Family Agency, Tusla.

All three expressed their desire for the case to be heard in the District Court when put on their election by Judge Deane.

No pleas were tendered to the court on behalf of the three accused.

They were remanded on bail to Mullingar District Court on July 16.