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Burglar led gardai on high speed chase over three counties
Summary
Matthew Grogan, 26, of Applewood Village, Swords, was jailed for three years and nine months after pleading guilty to possession of stolen property, trespassing, criminal damage, driving without insurance and two counts of dangerous driving. The offences occurred between 22 and 23 September 2021 in County Louth and County Dublin. Grogan had stolen a taxi, reported it to the gardai, and then drove the vehicle at speeds up to 170 km/h, running red lights, weaving through lanes, passing a toll plaza and nearly colliding with an unmarked garda car. The pursuit involved armed gardai from the Armed Support Unit, Louth and Dublin. He was arrested in the Swords area, was intoxicated at the time of arrest, and later described the night as a "blur". Grogan has 64 prior convictions, including burglary and assault, and will be released in June 2026. The court noted his addiction issues and that he has two children.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Burglar led gardai on high speed chase over three counties. Charges or matters: the possession of stolen property, trespassing, criminal damage, driving without insurance, and two counts of dangerous driving at various locations in Co Louth and Co Dublin between September 22 and 23, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 22 Incident
- September 22, 2021 Incident
- June 2026 Incident
- 2024-05-07 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of stolen property, trespassing, criminal damage, driving without insurance, and two counts of dangerous driving at various locations in Co Louth and Co Dublin between September 22 and 23, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Grogan is currently serving a prison sentence and will be released in June 2026. He said Grogan has two children, and he will miss the first three years of one of his children's lives due to his current prison sentence, submitting that this case has been a "wake-up call" to him.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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