A minor giving evidence in court

mikemac1

Watching an American legal drama [I know, I know] and they called up a four year old to give evidence and identify someone.

So I'm wondering, suppose I break into a house in Galway, no physical evidence but we'll say an eight year lad living there saw me and could identify me.

There's no evidence like fingerprints or CCTV and my friends would be willing to lie I was with them

The gardaí know well I'm the local scumbag but there is no way to convict me unless this child gives a statement or maybe more

Now I'm not just copying mad things I see on American TV and think they apply here, I know it's different and I wouldn't drag daft ideas into Legal forum

But I think it's a good question and I'm sure this situation has arisen in Ireland before.

Can the parents get a child to give a statement down the garda station?
And if I'm charged can a child that young give evidence in district court? I've said an eight year old lad, could you go even younger? What age does a person become reliable?

And I'll sound very nasty but could my solicitor be let loose and rip up this eight year olds story?

Just wondering. I honestly don't know

PCPhoto

think about it ... different crime ... can a child tell of child abuse and will the person be charged with the crime ?

mikemac1

Good point

I wrote that long post but never once thought of different crimes

Guess that answers my question so