Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen had to jump from moving car during theft

Summary

In July 2016 a teenager, Ciara Maguire, 18, was forced to jump from a moving car onto a busy Dublin road when her father's car was stolen from a petrol station. Sean Dowdall, 22, had taken the vehicle after the driver, Susan Maguire, entered the shop to pay for fuel. He saw Ciara in the back seat and drove off, refusing to exit the car. The incident caused Ciara to suffer cuts, bruises and ongoing nightmares. Dowdall, who was on a "binge" and disqualified from driving, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and car theft. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to two and a half years for the theft and false imprisonment, warning that further offences would lead to longer sentences. He had 55 previous convictions and admitted the car was taken to sell for debt repayment. The case highlighted the danger of vehicle theft and the impact on the victim.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen had to jump from moving car during theft. Charges or matters: false imprisonment and car theft at Esso on Ushers Quay on February 11, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 11, 2016 Incident
• 2016-07-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report