Wednesday 28 October 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. 0735Unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, threats to kill or cause serious harm, dangerous driving, driving without insurance · Co. Dublin · 7 Apr 2021

Aaron McDermott jailed for eight years for carjacking at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

On 7 April 2021, Aaron McDermott, 33, seized a car by force at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin while highly intoxicated on ecstasy tablets and alcohol, holding a small knife up to the seven-month-old infant in the back seat. The car owner, who was sitting in the back with his five-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son, was dragged along the ground and sustained a fractured ankle before McDermott drove the vehicle off at speed through a car park and crashed it into another car. McDermott pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm, dangerous driving, and driving without insurance. On 25 June 2026, Judge Elma Sheahan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to nine years with the final 12 months suspended and disqualified him from driving for 20 years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jun
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • On 7 April 2021, Aaron McDermott, 33, seized a car by force or threat at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin while highly intoxicated on a combination of ecstasy tablets and alcohol.
  • The car owner was sitting in the back seat with his five-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son when McDermott held a small knife up to the infant and made threats to kill or cause serious harm.
  • The victim was dragged along the ground and sustained a fractured ankle, and McDermott drove the car off at speed through a car park before crashing it into another vehicle.
Where
The incident occurred at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin city, where the victim had gone to collect his wife at the end of her shift.
Charges
McDermott pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm, dangerous driving, and driving without insurance.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Elma Sheahan, who described the dashcam footage as harrowing.
Sentence
  • On 25 June 2026, McDermott was sentenced to nine years with the final 12 months suspended on condition he engage with the Probation Service.
  • He was disqualified from driving for two consecutive terms of 10 years.
Other details
  • McDermott had 125 previous convictions and was already disqualified from driving at the time of the offence.
  • The family experienced PTSD, terrifying waking hallucinations, and financial distress including mortgage arrears.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcDermott pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat at Beaumont Hospital on April 7, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe also pleaded guilty to three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the driver and the two children. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatFurther driving offences including dangerous driving and driving without insurance were taken into account. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe victim sustained a fractured ankle from being dragged along the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcDermott drove the car off at speed through a car park before crashing it into another car. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe victim was at the hospital to collect his wife at the end of her shift. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcDermott pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat at Beaumont Hospital on 7 April 2021. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe victim sustained a fractured ankle from being dragged along and was unable to walk or bear weight for months. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe car owner was sitting in the back seat with his five-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin city. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe victim was at Beaumont Hospital to collect his wife at the end of her shift. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeMcDermott was highly intoxicated on a combination of ecstasy tablets and alcohol. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • weaponMcDermott held a small knife up to the infant. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponMcDermott held a small knife up to the infant while telling the man to keep the baby quiet. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Elma Sheahan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Elma Sheahan described the dashcam footage as harrowing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to nine years with the final 12 months suspended on condition he engage with the Probation Service. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for two consecutive terms of 10 years. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceMcDermott was sentenced to nine years with the final 12 months suspended on condition he engage with The Probation Service for 12 months. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe family experienced PTSD, terrifying waking hallucinations, and financial distress including mortgage arrears. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcDermott was already disqualified from driving at the time of the offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBy age 17, McDermott was addicted to cocaine and also abusing alcohol. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMultiple suicides in his family included his father, brother and friends. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe older child had unbuckled her seat belt before McDermott drove the car off. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcDermott had 125 previous convictions including robbery, assault, drink driving, two hit and runs, firearms offences, burglary, resisting arrest and obstruction of a police officer. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMcDermott was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe family experienced financial distress as the man was unable to work, his wife took unpaid leave, and their mortgage fell into arrears. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe family experienced psychological difficulties including PTSD and terrifying waking hallucinations. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said McDermott was the product of a broken home and turned to drugs to cope with multiple suicides including his father, brother and friends. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherBy the age of 17 McDermott was addicted to cocaine and also abusing alcohol. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMcDermott stated in a letter to the court that he is truly disgusted with himself and takes full responsibility. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jun2026
    Sentenceddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Drug addict who held knife up to baby during Dublin carjacking jailed

    Sentencing report: Judge Elma Sheahan imposed nine years (12 months suspended) and a 20-year driving disqualification. Dashcam footage played in court. Defence highlighted 125 previous convictions, addiction, and family background. Victim sustained a fractured ankle; family suffered PTSD and financial distress.

    convicted, Aaron McDermott, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron McDermottvictim, malevictim, 5, femalevictim, male
  2. 25 Jun2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Drug addict who held knife up to baby during carjacking jailed for eight years

    Sentencing report: Judge Elma Sheahan imposed nine years with 12 months suspended and a 20-year driving disqualification. Dashcam footage played in court. Victim sustained a fractured ankle. Family suffered PTSD and financial distress. McDermott had 125 previous convictions and a history of addiction to cocaine and alcohol from age 17.

    convicted, Aaron McDermott, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron McDermottvictim, malevictim, 5, femalevictim, 7 months, male