Courts / Dublin / Report
Former addict crashed stolen car in to bus stop after driving on wrong side of road
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 December 2016, Darren Bewley, aged 39, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a car, criminal damage, dangerous driving and drunk driving after he drunkenly drove a stolen Renault Captur on the wrong side of the North Circular Road, crashing into a bus stop. Bewley, who had 27 prior convictions and was over the legal alcohol limit, admitted he had taken prescribed medication and vodka, and that the car's keys were in the vehicle. The court noted that no one was injured and that Bewley had been working on overcoming his heroin addiction. Judge Terence O'Sullivan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final nine months, and disqualified Bewley from driving for seven years. The stolen car was written off and the bus stop suffered €800 in damage, with the owner paying a €300 excess on insurance. The case highlighted Bewley's ongoing struggle with substance abuse and his attempts at rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former addict crashed stolen car in to bus stop after driving on wrong side of road. Charges or matters: unlawful use of a car, criminal damage, dangerous driving and drunk driving in the north of the city on January 13, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 13, 2016 Incident
- New Year's Eve Other
- 2016-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawful use of a car, criminal damage, dangerous driving and drunk driving in the north of the city on January 13, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said he was not convinced to apply the "last chance principle" in this case and was taking a chance in suspending any part of the sentence for rehabilitation but was going to give Bewley the benefit of the doubt. Judge O'Sullivan imposed a two year sentence and suspended the final nine months.
Places mentioned
- Gardiner Place
- Dublin
- Park Gate Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Manor Street
- Oxmantown Road
- North Circular Road
- Mater Hospital
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft
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