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Suspended sentence for passenger in stolen car that caused €20k in damage
Summary
James O'Connell, 23, of Clifden Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful carriage in a stolen car, damaging a second car and causing about €21,553 of damage to gates at Rosebank Apartments, Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on 14 December 2013. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the stolen car, hot‑wired and driven by co‑accused James Dunphy, with O'Connell as a passenger, ramming through two sets of gates onto the main road. O'Connell had no prior convictions at the time of the offence but had since accrued 13 convictions related to that incident, including dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended for three years, and ordered 12 months of probation supervision. The court noted O'Connell's personal difficulties and his willingness to change, as highlighted in a positive probation report submitted by his defence lawyer.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for passenger in stolen car that caused €20k in damage. Charges or matters: unlawful carriage in a car, damaging a second car and causing approximately €21,553 of damage to gates at Rosebank Apartments, Nangor Road, Clondalkin on December 14, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 14, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Outcome: James Dunphy (21), of Lally Road, Ballyfermot, received a two year suspended sentence when his case was finalised last month.
Accused
Charges: unlawful carriage in a car, damaging a second car and causing approximately €21,553 of damage to gates at Rosebank Apartments, Nangor Road, Clondalkin on December 14, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: His co-accused, James Dunphy (21), of Lally Road, Ballyfermot, received a two year suspended sentence when his case was finalised last month. She imposed a two year sentence on O'Connell which she suspended for three years and ordered him to undergo 12 months probation supervision.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Nangor Road
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft
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