Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal hijacked nurse's car while in "drug-induced psychosis"
Summary
Christopher Coakley, aged 25, was sentenced to six years in prison for hijacking a nurse's car while in a drug‑induced psychosis. The incident occurred early on 6 April 2015 near Temple Street Hospital when Coakley forced a nurse to hand over her keys, then reversed the vehicle without lights, later colliding with another car. The nurse's car was ultimately found burnt out. Coakley had previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Ladbrokes in December 2014, unlawful seizure of a car in April 2015, and criminal damage to two cars. He already serves a six‑year term for an armed robbery imposed in December 2014 and a three‑year term for a 2012 hijacking. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a six‑year sentence with the final two years suspended, ordering 18 months of probation, drug treatment and employment or educational courses. The sentence does not extend his time in custody, and he is due for release in 2020.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal hijacked nurse's car while in "drug-induced psychosis". Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Ladbrokes, North Strand Road on December 8, 2014; unlawfully seizing a car by force at St Georges Pocket, Dublin and criminal damage to two cars on April 2, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 8, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2014 Other
- May 2015 Other
- June 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2015 Incident
- 2016-12-19 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: attempted robbery at Ladbrokes, North Strand Road on December 8, 2014; unlawfully seizing a car by force at St Georges Pocket, Dublin and criminal damage to two cars on April 2, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Coakley, who is currently serving a six year term for an armed robbery imposed last December and a three year term for a previous hijacking in 2012 imposed in July 2015, will not have his time in prison extended by this sentence. Judge Ryan imposed a six year sentence with the final two years suspended.; The court heard that at the time Coakley hijacked the nurse's car he was on bail to allow him attend for residential drug treatment pending finalisation of his sentence for the 2012 hijacking.
Places mentioned
- Temple Street
- Temple Street Hospital
- Temple Street Children's hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Empress Place
- Dublin
- North Strand Road
- Temple Street
- Adare Terrace
- Temple Street
- Gardiner Street
- Railway Street
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request