Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for man who led gardai on high speed chase on stolen motorbike

Date
2015-05-21

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Ballymun

County
Dublin

Summary

Andrew O'Toole, 22, was given a suspended sentence of three and a half years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and reckless endangerment for leading Gardaí on a high‑speed chase on a stolen motorbike. The incident, which took place on May 26, 2013, involved O'Toole driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway, around several roundabouts, and failing to stop at red lights, ultimately crashing into a parked car. Garda Stephen Walsh described how the pursuit forced other motorists to take evasive action, including a bus that had to swerve into road works. O'Toole was arrested after a brief struggle that injured the Garda's hand. He has 12 prior convictions and became a father two days after the offence. Judge Martin Nolan remanded him in custody for over a month, warning that re‑offending would result in further custody. The court noted his recent period of good conduct but emphasised the danger he posed to himself and others.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who led gardai on high speed chase on stolen motorbike. Charges or matters: dangerous driving and reckless endangerment in the Finglas area on May 26, 2013. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

May 26, 2013 Incident
2015-05-21 Publication

Case subjects

Andrew O'Toole

Defendant

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

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan, who had remanded O'Toole in custody for over a month so he could "reflect upon the situation", warned him that he would go back into custody if he reoffended. "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