Eoghan Dalton Reports
The decision not to charge two teenagers who attacked another three teens with acid last year has been upheld on review.Tega Agberhiere (17), Oisín Daly and Pádraig Sullivan (both 19) suffered severe skin burns in the incident last April in Earlscourt in the city, in what their families say was a premeditated attack.
Tega, a youth player for Waterford FC, suffered severe injuries to his face and body and his eyesight was damaged when an unspecified acidic substance was thrown on him.
The injured boys’ parents met with representatives of the DPP’s office in Waterford Garda Station last week.
They said that in December they had been told two cautions under the juvenile liaison programme – which seeks to deal with youth offenders in a manner that ensures they do not get a criminal record – were issued for two of the teenagers involved.
When the parents met the DPP’s representatives this week, the families were informed the caution that was pending would now be served, meaning the chief suspect will not be charged with a criminal offence.
The parents of the victims believe four perpetrators, not two, were involved in the incident.They have maintained that the perpetrators should be charged and brought before the courts where a judge and jury could decide the outcome.
Christie Agberhiere, the mother of Tega, has previously told the Munster Express that her son has been carrying on with life but has found the attack caused “physical and emotional” distress for him.