Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man who stole woman's car on their first date

Date
2015-02-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Wesley Brennan, 28, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for stealing a Honda Accord belonging to Leoney Dunphy during their first date. The theft occurred after Brennan, who met Dunphy on the Plenty of Fish dating site, began shouting at her over her driving and demanded she exit the car so he could drive away. He subsequently sold the vehicle to scrap dealers in Ashbourne. Brennan pleaded guilty to theft of a vehicle worth €5,500. The court noted no violence was used and that Dunphy was not put in fear, though she was flustered. Brennan, who had grown up in Tallaght and was experiencing homelessness and drug debt, apologized to the victim. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence, backdating it to September when Brennan entered custody after bail was revoked.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who stole woman's car on their first date. Charges or matters: theft of the Honda Accord worth €5,500 at Wicklow Street, in Dublin city centre on March 26, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-02-26 Publication

Why: James Dwyer BL, defending, told the court that when the victim had first contacted Brennan on the website she did not think there was anything "fishy" about him because they both knew the same people. Defence account reported by CNI