Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for man with significant mental disabilities who tried to hijack car
Summary
Daniel Byrne, aged 21 and described as having significant mental disabilities, was sentenced to a two‑year suspended term after pleading guilty to attempting to hijack a woman's car on Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown, on 29 October 2013. Byrne, who left a special needs school at 14 and is in the bottom one per cent of mental ability, was found unsuitable for community service. He was found to have severe mental disabilities, including ADHD and compulsive behaviour, and had 32 prior convictions, including three for assault. Byrne admitted the offence, claimed intoxication, and had spent the previous night in hospital with self‑inflicted injuries. The victim, who had to change jobs and suffered nightmares, reported that Byrne had blood on his face and appeared to have a screwdriver. The judge, Martin Nolan, ordered a Probation Service assessment and a suspended sentence, with no custodial term imposed. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man with significant mental disabilities who tried to hijack car. Charges or matters: attempting to seize a car through intimidation on Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown on October 29, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 29, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-12 Publication
Why: A victim impact report from the woman stated that she has had to change jobs because of the attack as she was reminded of it every time she went into work. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempting to seize a car through intimidation on Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown on October 29, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At a previous court date, Judge Nolan said Byrne's crime was "not too bad" and ordered that he be assessed by the Probation Service for suitability for community service. During the sentence hearing, Garda Bernard Eustace told prosecuting counsel Pieter Le Vert BL that the woman was parking her car and getting ready to go into work when she noticed Byrne, who had blood on his face, in her rear view mirror.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request