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"Incorrigible" car thief "smirked" and ran away from family trapped in car he crashed in to
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 18‑year‑old Paddy Lawrence was found guilty of unlawful taking of a car, handling stolen property, criminal damage and dangerous driving. On 4 March 2015 he stole a Skoda Octavia from a Balbriggan house, then drove it at high speed, causing a collision on Naul Road that smashed into a car driven by Eddie Tiernan. Tiernan's ten‑year‑old son and eight‑year‑old daughter were inside the vehicle; all were hospitalised with minor injuries. Lawrence fled the scene, smirking when Tiernan asked him to help the trapped family escape. He was arrested later that day. The court described the crash as "inevitable" and Lawrence as "incorrigible", sentencing him to four years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended. The Skoda was written off and the other passengers were never apprehended. Lawrence has 37 prior convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Incorrigible" car thief "smirked" and ran away from family trapped in car he crashed in to. Charges or matters: unlawful taking of a car and handling stolen property on March 4 2015, and criminal damage and dangerous driving at locations in Balbriggan on March 7, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 4 2015 Other
- March 7, 2015 Other
- March 4, 2015 Other
- 2015-12-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawful taking of a car and handling stolen property on March 4 2015, and criminal damage and dangerous driving at locations in Balbriggan on March 7, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Describing the crash as "inevitable" and Lawrence as "incorrigible", Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four years in jail, suspending the final 18 months.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Balbriggan
- Castlelands Estate
- Balbriggan
- Naul
- Naul Road
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft
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