Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for serial offender who stole BMW while "out of his mind" on drugs

Date
2018-04-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

Jonathan Conway, 36, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for stealing a BMW that had been left with its keys inside by the owner. He drove the vehicle in a highly dangerous manner, losing control at a roundabout, briefly becoming airborne and crashing into a lamppost and the wall of a pub. Two female passengers suffered minor injuries. Conway had 120 prior convictions, mainly for traffic and public order offences, theft and court‑appearance failures. He pleaded guilty to taking possession of a car without consent, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing a sample. The judge imposed a five‑year driving ban and noted Conway's limited cooperation with Gardaí, his guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts. He was also in custody on other district court matters. The court heard he had lost a local‑authority accommodation in Blanchardstown. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Melanie Greally.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for serial offender who stole BMW while "out of his mind" on drugs. Charges or matters: taking possession of a car without the consent of the owner, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing to give a sample at locations in south county Dublin on July 1, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 1, 2016 Incident
2018-04-10 Publication

Why: The court heard "Housing First" was set up by the Peter McVerry Trust in order to support rough sleepers to move to permanent accommodation and provide them with appropriate supports there. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Jonathan Conway

Defendant

Charges: taking possession of a car without the consent of the owner, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing to give a sample at locations in south county Dublin on July 1, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Melanie Greally imposed the sentence and a five year driving ban, taking into account Conway's "limited" co-operation with gardaí, his guilty plea and efforts at rehabilitation. Sinead Johnson, a project worker with "Housing First", told Mr Rea at an earlier sentence hearing that she thought Conway realised how serious the offences were.