Courts / Louth / Report

Jail for teen who violently hi-jacked taxi

Date
2018-03-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Drogheda

County
Louth

Summary

A 19‑year‑old from Louth, Lee Smyth, was sentenced to four years in prison for violently hijacking a taxi and assaulting its driver, Eric Byrne, on O'Connell Street in Dublin. Smyth, who admitted he was heavily intoxicated on tablets and could not fully recall the incident, said he only wanted to get home to Drogheda. He and a co‑accused seized the vehicle, attempted to take the keys, and then attacked Byrne, who fled and called the police. The car was later found burnt out in Drogheda. Smyth pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and unlawful seizure of a vehicle. He had 29 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions, noting Smyth's cooperation and willingness to reform. The case was prosecuted by Elva Duffy BL and defended by Grainne O'Neill BL. The court acknowledged Smyth's efforts in prison to change his behaviour.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for teen who violently hi-jacked taxi. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle at Clongriffin train station on September 20, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 20, 2016 Incident
2018-03-15 Publication

Why: He agreed that Smyth gave as fulsome account as he could because he had problems with his memory having taken a large amount of tablets. CNI source report

Case subjects

Lee Smyth

Accused

Charges: assault causing harm and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle at Clongriffin train station on September 20, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that Smyth engage with the Probation Service upon his release.