A judge has described as “shocking” victim impact statements shown to him after a teenager’s “rage-filled” and suspected hate attack on a lesbian couple. The boy, now 17, attacked after seeing them cuddling at a bus shelter in Dublin. The youth, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, appeared again at the Dublin Children’s Court today. He pleaded guilty earlier to assault causing harm to Robyn Deane, 22, and her partner Kate McCabe, 25, at Drumcondra Road Upper in the city’s north side on May 16, 2022, and will be sentenced later. The couple were not known to the boy, then 15, who was on drugs and used a homophobic slur and suddenly launched an attack and repeatedly punched them. They were not required to attend the hearing today.