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Gardaí have referred two male youths to the Youth Diversion Programme following an attack on a teenage boy in Tuam, Co Galway last month.
The attack occurred in the Galway town on October 16.
Videos of the incident have been widely circulated online and depict the two males taunting the boy before launching into an attack.
The boy can be heard apologising and pleading for them to not hurt him in the video.
In a statement issued this morning, a garda spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Independent that the two male youths had been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme following the incident.
“Gardaí received report of an alleged assault in Tuam, Co. Galway, which occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025,” the statement said.
“Following enquiries, two male youths, aged in their teens, have been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
The programme aims to prevent young offenders aged in under 18 who have engaged in ant-social behaviour from reoffending and entering the adult criminal justice system.
When a child has been caught offending by gardaí, a caution will be issued followed by the appointment of a Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) to act as a supervisor to the child.
A meeting between the relevant parties involved will be held and an action plan will then be drawn up to prevent the child from reoffending.
A referral to the Youth Diversion Programme does not preclude criminal charges also being brought where it’s suspected serious crimes have been committed.