A 15-year-old Dublin boy was beaten over his head with a hammer before being repeatedly kicked and held up at knifepoint after his ex-girlfriend ‘lured’ him to premeditated robbery, a court heard.

Two youths, now 17, were charged with the robbery of the boy in Tallaght on April 25 last year and appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court. They are also accused of brandishing weapons during the incident and faced preliminary hearings to decide their trial venue.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) urged that the case be transferred to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

READ MORE: Gardai find children driving tractors on Donegal road: 'Some couldn't reach the pedals'

Judge Paul Kelly noted defence pleas to keep the case in the Children’s Court but agreed with the DPP that it was too serious and refused jurisdiction when he heard an outline of the allegations.

Garda David Kinealy told Judge Kelly that he spoke to the complainant at his home, and he reported that he had been attacked and robbed. The court heard claims that he was walking with his ex-girlfriend when he was approached by three males “who attacked and robbed them”.

It was alleged one defendant struck him to the back of his head with a hammer and made several attempts to hit him with the hammer.

After he went on the ground, the co-accused allegedly “began kicking him on the ground, before kneeling on his chest, producing a knife and robbing him of his Samsung S9 phone and a €5 note”.

The knife was described as like a box cutter or a Stanley knife. The garda said the incident was premeditated and planned, and the victim had been “lured” to the scene by his ex-girlfriend.

“He had a one-centimetre laceration to the back of his head and cuts and bruises to his arms and legs after he took up a defensive position,” the garda said.

The defendants, also aged 15 at the time, cannot be identified because they are minors. The third attacker was not found.

The court heard he knew the boy with the hammer and identified the second defendant, who allegedly had the knife in a statement taken four months later. He denies the charges, but his alleged accomplice has not indicated how he would plead. Neither had any prior criminal convictions.

The pair, accompanied to court by their mothers, were remanded on continuing bail pending the preparation of books of evidence which must be served on them before a trial order.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.