Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 22006Unlawful use of stolen car; dangerous driving; criminal damage to a garda car · Co. Dublin · 19 Sep 2022

14-year-old boy's prosecution dropped over ramming of garda car in Ballyfermot

A 14-year-old boy's prosecution for travelling as a passenger in a stolen car that rammed a garda patrol vehicle in Ballyfermot, Dublin, was dropped at Dublin Children's Court on 8 March 2023 to allow him to enter the Garda juvenile diversion programme. Three co-defendants were remanded on continuing bail to appear in April for DPP directions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe footage showed a collision between a Garda patrol vehicle and another car, cheered by onlookers. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe incident involved a collision between a garda patrol vehicle and another car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe collision took place in Ballyfermot, Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred in Ballyfermot, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred at around 7.30pm on 19 September 2022. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened at around 7.30pm on 19 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí made five arrests in connection with the incident. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFour teenage boys were charged in October 2022. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe 14-year-old was charged with unlawfully travelling as a passenger in a stolen car at Cedarbrook Avenue on 19 September. (rte.ie)
  • chargeA 15-year-old schoolboy is accused of unlawful use of a stolen car at Cedarbrook Avenue, dangerous driving at Cherry Orchard Avenue, and criminal damage to a Garda car. (rte.ie)
  • chargeAnother 15-year-old boy is accused of unlawful use of a stolen car, using or being a passenger in another stolen car, dangerous driving, and criminal damage to the Garda car. (rte.ie)
  • chargeA 14-year-old is accused of being a passenger in two alleged stolen vehicles at Cedarbrook Avenue. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFour teenage boys were charged over the incident in October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe 14-year-old was charged with unlawfully travelling as a passenger in a stolen car at Cedarbrook Avenue on 19 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOne 15-year-old is charged with unlawful use of a stolen car at Cedarbrook Avenue, dangerous driving at Cherry Orchard Avenue, and causing criminal damage to a garda car. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA 15-year-old boy is accused of unlawful use of a stolen car, being a passenger in another stolen car, dangerous driving, and causing criminal damage to the garda car. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeAnother 14-year-old is accused of being a passenger in two allegedly stolen vehicles at Cedarbrook Avenue. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe prosecution against the 14-year-old was dropped to allow him to participate in a crime diversion programme. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe withdrawal of the case followed representations by defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens. (rte.ie)
  • courtThree co-defendants were remanded on continuing bail to appear in April for DPP directions. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe co-defendants must attend school or bail supervision programmes and remain contactable by mobile phone. (rte.ie)
  • courtTwo of the co-defendants must stay out of the Ballyfermot area. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe court restricted the co-defendants from contacting each other and warned them to be of good behaviour and not be in control of any motor vehicles. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Dublin Children's Court in Smithfield, Dublin, before Judge Brendan Toale. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe crime diversion scheme is an alternative to court prosecution and does not carry the risk of a criminal record or custodial sentence. (rte.ie)
  • otherA fifth boy was referred to the juvenile youth diversion programme the previous year. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherVideos of the incident went viral on social media, with on-lookers cheering. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Boy (14) charged over ramming of garda car in Ballyfermot to enter crime diversion scheme

    Reports the court outcome at Dublin Children's Court: the 14-year-old's prosecution was dropped for the juvenile diversion programme, while three co-defendants were remanded on continuing bail to April for DPP directions. Details the specific charges against each of the four teenage boys and notes a fifth boy was referred to the diversion programme the previous year.

    accused, 14, maleaccused, 15, maleaccused, 15, maleaccused, 14, maleaccused, male
  2. 8 Mar2023
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Case dropped against teen linked to Garda car ramming

    Reports the dropping of the 14-year-old's prosecution in favour of a crime diversion programme, and details the bail conditions and charges for the three remaining co-defendants at the Dublin Children's Court.

    accused, 14, maleaccused, 15, maleaccused, 15, maleaccused, 14, maleaccused, male