Courts / Dublin / Report

Sparks flew from stolen car as it drove on rim

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek O'Brien, 38, pleaded guilty to burglary and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle after a patrol officer noticed a silver VW Polo driving on its rim with a missing tire. Garda Ronan Kennedy described the vehicle as sparking and swerving, and O'Brien admitted he had stolen the car keys from a house he had burgled earlier that evening. The burglary also involved a small amount of cash and a broken rear window. O'Brien claimed the damage was caused by the car hitting a path while he was driving. He has 91 prior convictions and has completed a detox programme. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 21 months imprisonment. The car was economically written off after the incident. The case was heard at Ailesbury Park, Ballsbridge. The court noted O'Brien's intent to complete his Leaving Cert while in custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sparks flew from stolen car as it drove on rim. Charges or matters: burglary and unlawful possession of a motor propelled vehicle at Ailesbury Park, Ballsbridge, on March 14, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 14, 2020 Incident
• 2020-10-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report