Courts / Dublin / Report

Mentally ill man caused motorbike crash while feeling from gardai

Date
2021-07-26
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Craig White, 24, a schizophrenic man, was found guilty of endangerment, criminal damage, failure to remain at the scene, driving without insurance, dangerous driving and theft. He drove a stolen motorcycle on a footpath in Ratoath, Finglas, in July 2017, ignoring stop and yield signs, and collided with a VW Polo and a courier's motorbike. The courier, William Murray, was thrown from his bike, sustaining a right‑elbow injury that required surgery, and suffered an estimated loss of earnings of over €13,000. White's motorcycle was written off. He had 12 prior convictions, including for dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court, noting his schizophrenia and treatment, imposed a suspended sentence of three years for the driving offences and four months for the theft, with strict conditions to continue medication.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mentally ill man caused motorbike crash while feeling from gardai. Charges or matters: endangerment, criminal damage, failure to remain at the scene and driving without insurance at Ratoath Road, Finglas, on July 11, 2017; dangerous driving on the same date at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, and to theft at Spar, Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, on February 2, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Craig White

Defendant

Charges: endangerment, criminal damage, failure to remain at the scene and driving without insurance at Ratoath Road, Finglas, on July 11, 2017; dangerous driving on the same date at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, and to theft at Spar, Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, on February 2, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Sheahan sentenced White to three years imprisonment for the driving offences and four months imprisonment for the theft, but suspended the entirety of the sentences on strict conditions including that he continue to take his medication as directed.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
  • Cappagh Drive
Journey Or Route
  • Ratoath
  • Ratoath Road
  • Ratoath Drive
  • Cardiffsbridge Road

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft

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