Courts / Dublin / Report

Rolex watch thrown out of window during car chase and never recovered, court hears

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 28‑year‑old James Gallagher was sentenced to two and a half years for stealing a €26,200 Rolex from Weir's Jewellers in Dundrum and for dangerous driving on the M50. Gallagher snatched the watch from a customer, fled in a Volkswagen Golf, and was pursued by Gardaí. During the high‑speed chase he allegedly threw the watch out of a car window near Wesley College, Ballinteer, but a subsequent search failed to recover it. The judge noted Gallagher's actions endangered the public by forcing Gardaí to chase him at speeds over 120 kph on a 50 kph road, breaking red lights and driving the wrong way. Gallagher admitted the theft was to support his crack cocaine habit and is now addressing his drug addiction. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest. James Gallagher pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rolex watch thrown out of window during car chase and never recovered, court hears. Charges or matters: theft at Weir's Jewellers, Dundrum and dangerous driving and driving without insurance on the M50 on September 25, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 25, 2013 Incident
• 2014-12-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report