Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who lead gardai on high speed Dublin city centre chase allowed out on bail for drug treatment

Date
2014-10-21
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Temple Bar
County
Dublin

Summary

Leonard Dumbrell, 26, from Wexford, led Gardaí on a high‑speed chase through Dublin's city centre after stealing a car in Ballsbridge. He drove the vehicle at speed, up the wrong way on one‑way streets, and crashed it at Temple Bar Square. The court heard he nearly knocked over pedestrians on O'Connell Bridge while evading police. Dumbrell pleaded guilty to car theft in Dublin 4 and two counts of dangerous driving in Dublin city centre on 2 January 2013. He has 108 prior convictions, including car thefts, assaulting a Garda and violent disorder. Judge Mary Ellen Ring remanded him in custody until sentencing but granted bail to attend an eight‑week residential drug treatment programme, with a four‑week after‑care programme to follow. The court warned that any breach of the bail bond would result in remand in prison. The case highlights the Gardaí's pursuit of a repeat offender with a serious drug problem.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who lead gardai on high speed Dublin city centre chase allowed out on bail for drug treatment. Charges or matters: car theft in Dublin 4 and two counts of dangerous driving in Dublin city centre on January 2, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Leonard Dumbrell

Defendant

Charges: car theft in Dublin 4 and two counts of dangerous driving in Dublin city centre on January 2, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said Dumbrell previously absconded on his sentence date after he had been sitting in the court room earlier that day. He said Dumbrell has already detoxed while on remand in Cloverhill awaiting sentence.; Judge Mary Ellen Ring had remanded him in custody until sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today but acceded to a request from defence counsel John Berry BL to allow him out on bail this Thursday to attend an eight week drug treatment programme.

Places mentioned

Journey Or Route
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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