Courts / Dublin / Report

Young Dublin man who led gardai on "gut wrenching" high speed chase remanded in custody to "reflect upon the situation"

Date
2015-04-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ballymun

County
Dublin

Summary

Andrew O'Toole, 22, was remanded in custody after a high‑speed chase in which he drove a stolen motorbike the wrong way down a dual carriageway, around roundabouts, and through red lights, ultimately crashing into a parked car. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and reckless endangerment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Toole had 12 prior convictions and became a father two days after the offence. During the pursuit, motorists were forced to take evasive action, including a bus that swerved into road works. Garda Stephen Walsh chased O'Toole, who eventually crashed on Woodhazel Terrace in Ballymun. O'Toole was arrested after a struggle that injured the Garda's hand. He later said he "blanked" when questioned. Judge Martin Nolan revoked his bail, remanded him until 21 May for sentencing, and urged him to reflect on the danger he posed to himself, the public and the Gardaí.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Young Dublin man who led gardai on "gut wrenching" high speed chase remanded in custody to "reflect upon the situation". Charges or matters: dangerous driving and reckless endangerment in the Finglas area on May 26, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 26, 2013 Incident
May 21 Adjournment
2015-04-22 Publication

Why: A Dublin man who led gardaí on a high speed chase because he was driving a stolen motorbike has been remanded in custody so "he can reflect upon the situation". CNI source report

Case subjects

Andrew O'Toole

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving and reckless endangerment in the Finglas area on May 26, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He revoked his bail and remanded him in custody until May 21 next for sentence so that he can "reflect upon the situation". "He needs to think that if he continues on the path he is going, this is his future," Judge Nolan said before he added that he was impressed that O'Toole has kept out of trouble for the last two years. "This gives the court hope but he is going to heave to learn the hard way that he is endangering himself and more importantly others," Judge Nolan continued.; He revoked his bail and remanded him in custody until May 21 next for sentence so that he can "reflect upon the situation". "He needs to think that if he continues on the path he is going, this is his future," Judge Nolan said before he added that he was impressed that O'Toole has kept out of trouble for the last two years. "This gives the court hope but he is going to heave to learn the hard way