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'I think you can turn it around' - Judge offers second chance to speedster who fled gardai with juveniles in the passenger seats
Summary
A judge has given a 21-year-old man a second chance after he led gardai on a high-speed chase through Dublin with juveniles in his car. Judge Sinéad Ni Chúlacháin imposed a three-year sentence on Craig McKeon, with the final 18 months suspended on the condition that he complies with strict rehabilitation measures. The judge acknowledged McKeon's efforts to address his issues and noted that he has a supportive family and girlfriend. McKeon pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment after a chase that involved driving on the wrong side of the M50, through red lights, and at excessive speeds. During the chase, other vehicles had to take evasive action, and gardai deployed a stinger to stop him. McKeon avoided the device by driving onto a curb and making a U-turn before continuing towards Ballymun. He was not insured and did not have a driving licence. The judge said McKeon's actions placed his passengers, the gardai, and the public at risk. She noted that McKeon had previous convictions for dangerous driving and that his evasive actions were impulsive.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I think you can turn it around' - Judge offers second chance to speedster who fled gardai with juveniles in the passenger seats. Charges or matters: two counts of endangerment on October 7, 2025. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 7, 2025 Incident
- 2026-05-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of endangerment on October 7, 2025 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a three-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended for two years under strict conditions to encourage his rehabilitation. The sentence was backdated to give McKeon credit for time served in custody on this matter alone. "You are not to go straight back out and do what you do before.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Virginia Park
- Dublin city
- Ballymun
- Griffith Avenue
Topics
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