Gardai to issue 'warning' to boy, 15, caught driving on busy road in Irish town

A 15-year-old boy who was caught by gardai driving a car in a large town is set to avoid prosecution because of his age, gardai have confirmed.

Highlighting the detection, which was made in County Clare on Valentine's Day, gardai stated dark-coloured vehicle was seized after it was stopped.

"Detectives at Ennis garda station intercepted the car being driven by a 15 year old youth. The vehicle has been seized and the youth will be referred for caution under Juvenile Diversion Programme," read a post on social media.

Pictures shared by gardai indicate the detection was made on a busy road in a built-up area of Ennis.

READ ALSO: 'Extraordinary' - RTÉ viewers react to appearance of 'FTD brothers' on Tommy Tiernan Show

Reacting to the Facebook post, some social  media users have criticised the decision  not to initiate criminal proceedings against the teenager.

"Caution isn't good enough, no licence, no insurance and underage, should be sent to Obertstown," stated one user while another simply said: "A caution??? Really"

The Garda Youth Diversion Programme, which operates in garda divisions across the country, aims to prevent young offenders and children involved in anti-social behaviour in Ireland from committing further offences and entering into the adult criminal justice system.

Under the programme, a caution is a warning issued by An Garda Síochána to the juvenile against committing the offending behaviour or similar behaviour again.