Courts / Dublin / Report

Christmas shoppers thought they were under terrorist attack

Summary

A 19‑year‑old man, Joel Omokhudu, was jailed for six months after driving his car at pedestrians in a Dublin shopping centre on 8 December 2020. He had been ejected from the centre and, in a temper, drove erratically in the car park and onto the pedestrian area, narrowly missing a woman with her daughters and several security guards. He then reversed into a flower bed, almost hitting a guard. No injuries were reported. Omokhudu pleaded guilty to endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and criminal damage. The court heard he had previous assault convictions. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 18 months, suspended the final year, and disqualified him from driving for four years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Christmas shoppers thought they were under terrorist attack. Charges or matters: one count of endangerment at the shopping centre in Clondalkin on December 8, 2020; two counts of dangerous driving, one count of driving without insurance and one count of criminal damage to a concrete seating area and a flower bed. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 8, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas Incident
• 2022-11-01 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report