Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda car aquaplaned and crashed on M50 during high speed chase in torrential rain
Summary
Stephen Bailey, aged 30, was sentenced to three years in prison after a high‑speed chase in torrential rain on the M50 led to a garda car aquaplaning and crashing. Bailey had pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin, intentionally or recklessly ramming a garda, endangerment of Garda Gary Dunne and two dangerous driving charges. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the final 18 months, and banned Bailey from driving for ten years. The chase began when gardaí, following a surveillance operation on Old Glenamuck Road, spotted a red Audi A3 driven by Bailey. The gardaí pursued him, but the patrol car aquaplaned, causing injuries to Sgt Divian Rock and Garda Tara Byrne. Both officers suffered significant injuries and ongoing medical costs. Bailey's guilty pleas and steps toward drug treatment were noted by the judge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda car aquaplaned and crashed on M50 during high speed chase in torrential rain. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine and heroin, intentionally or recklessly ramming a garda, endangerment of Garda Gary Dunne and two charges of dangerous driving on April 11, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 11, 2016 Incident
- 2017-10-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cocaine and heroin, intentionally or recklessly ramming a garda, endangerment of Garda Gary Dunne and two charges of dangerous driving on April 11, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In passing a sentence of four and a half years, Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final 18 months of the jail term.; Mr Ó Dúnlaing asked for the case to be adjourned to allow Bailey to continue with a drug treatment course he has started at Coolmine.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Old Glenamuck Road
- North Circular Road
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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