Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman jailed for violent hijack of taxi
Summary
Donna Dineen, aged 28, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for hijacking a taxi on 26 July 2023. She used a seat belt to choke the driver, who was in his late 60s, and then dragged him out, punching or kicking him before driving off. The victim was left battered and bruised and has not returned to taxi driving. Dineen pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm. The judge noted the brutality of the assault and the victim's inability to resume work, but also acknowledged Dineen's rehabilitation efforts. The final nine months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision. Her co‑accused, Gillian Byrne, will be sentenced separately next year after pleading guilty to the same offences. The court heard Byrne had called 999 voluntarily and expressed remorse. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman jailed for violent hijack of taxi. Charges or matters: the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm at Phoenix Park, Dublin, on July 26, 2023; the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 26, 2023 Incident
- February 28 Adjournment
- 2024-10-24 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm at Phoenix Park, Dublin, on July 26, 2023; the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a sentence of five years and three months but said she wished to give Dineen a chance of rehabilitation. Counsel said Byrne had requested to be sentenced separately to Dineen and that she had allegedly been assaulted by associates of the other woman close to the court.; At a hearing today, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned finalising Byrne's sentence and ordered a probation report to be prepared for sentencing on February 28 next.
Background Person
Charges: the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Gillian Byrne (38), currently living in hostel accommodation, is to be sentenced next year after she pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm on the same date. Counsel said Byrne had requested to be sentenced separately to Dineen and that she had allegedly been assaulted by associates of the other woman close to the court.; At a hearing today, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned finalising Byrne's sentence and ordered a probation report to be prepared for sentencing on February 28 next.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Phoenix Park
- Dublin
- O'Connell Street
- Phoenix Park
Topics
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