Tyler Lewis jailed for six years over Cork car hijacking attempt

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Tyler Lewis was sentenced to six years in prison at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for offences arising from a car hijacking attempt. The proceedings were reported on 23 November 2020.

Lewis pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, unlawful seizure of a car, threatening to stab the male victim and false imprisonment.

The offences followed an encounter with a couple in a Grand Parade car park in Cork city on 30 July 2020. Garda Mary Enneguess said the female passenger got out of the car and Lewis produced a 15cm knife, which he pointed at the driver. He told the woman to get back into the car or he would stab her boyfriend.

The garda said the woman faked a panic attack to get Lewis out of the car. He fled shortly afterwards and was later apprehended. CCTV showed him buying the knife and rubber gloves, and the court heard that the knife was recovered in Bishop Lucey Park.

The report said Lewis was under the influence of drugs and had 31 previous convictions. His barrister, Alice Fawsitt, said he was battling addiction and had a drugs debt, but had made some headway with his addictions.

Judge Sean O’Donnabhain said Lewis had made serious threats that put the couple in fear for their lives. He described his behaviour as violent, dangerous and bizarre. The judge said Lewis was on a bond after a two-year suspended sentence and would be sent back to Mullingar court, where that sentence would probably be activated.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.