Teenager charged over e-scooter crash that left boy (9) with severe leg injuries in Kildare

Michael Bolton

A 16-year-old has appeared in court charged in connection with a collision between a high-powered e-scooter and a boy, aged nine, who was severely injured in Co Kildare last year.

The younger boy was cycling home from a friend's house on his bike, using the cycle path, when he was struck.

The impact resulted in a chronic leg injury.

The teenager appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at the Dublin Children's Court on Wednesday.

Neither can be identified because they are juveniles and have the right to anonymity under the Children Act.

He is accused of dangerous driving causing serious harm to the younger boy in Leixlip in July 2025.

According to the charge document, the accused, then aged 15, was allegedly dangerously driving a KuKirin G4 e-scooter, including speed, that caused serious bodily harm.

The offence is under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act.

Garda Christopher Fallon told Judge Patricia Cronin that the boy did not comment in response to the charge.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended that the teen face trial on indictment, meaning the case will proceed to the Circuit Court unless a guilty plea is entered, in which case it may be retained in the Children's Court.

However, a preliminary hearing must take place to determine the final trial venue.

Judge Cronin noted that the boy, who remains on bail, was in court with his mother, but was unrepresented due to the ongoing industrial action by solicitors over legal aid reforms. She told him that she hoped the issue would be over by the time the case resumes.

Judge Cronin then granted an order for disclosure of the Garda evidence and told him he must appear again on September 23.

He has yet to enter a plea and spoke briefly, "okay yes", to confirm he understood.