Thursday 5 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. 29744Motor theft; criminal damage; driving under the influence of cannabis; dangerous driving; driving without a licence; driving without insurance · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2020

Boy convicted of motor theft and dangerous driving in Dublin

On the night of 23 November 2020, a 15-year-old boy drove a stolen Nissan March at speeds above 140km/h across north Dublin with two 14-year-old passengers during a 10-minute pursuit involving five garda units. The chase went through Blanchardstown, Artane and Coolock before the boy crashed into a parked vehicle in Greenwood Estate after a stinger device was deployed. The boy was found to have cannabis in his system and was in possession of a screwdriver, black gloves and vice grips used to steal the car. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Children's Court to motor theft, criminal damage, driving under the influence of cannabis, no licence, no insurance and multiple counts of dangerous driving. Judge Paul Kelly adjourned sentencing for a probation report.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 15-year-old boy drove a stolen Nissan March at speeds above 140km/h with two 14-year-old passengers during a 10-minute pursuit involving five garda units.
  • The boy forced other vehicles to take avoidance action and drove on the wrong side of the N3 road in Blanchardstown.
  • A Garda Armed Support Unit deployed a stinger device at Coolock and the boy crashed into a parked vehicle in Greenwood Estate.
  • The boy was tested and found to have cannabis in his system and was in possession of a screwdriver, black gloves and vice grips.
Where
The car was stolen from outside its owner's home in Blanchardstown and the chase route went through Artane and Coolock before ending in Greenwood Estate.
When
The incident occurred on the night of 23 November 2020.
Charges
The boy pleaded guilty to motor theft, criminal damage, driving under the influence of cannabis, no licence, no insurance and multiple counts of dangerous driving.
In court
Judge Paul Kelly adjourned sentencing at Dublin Children's Court for a probation report.
Other details
  • The boy had no prior criminal convictions and was assessed as having ADHD, which his school highlighted but for which he never received support or medication.
  • The boy has not come to further Garda attention and has changed his peer group.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe boy was driving a stolen Nissan March at speeds above 140km/h across north Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy had two passengers aged 14 in the car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFive garda units were involved in the pursuit. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy forced other vehicles to take avoidance action. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA Garda Armed Support Unit deployed a stinger device on the road at Coolock. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy crashed into a parked vehicle in Greenwood Estate. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe entire chase lasted 10 minutes. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy had a screwdriver, black gloves and vice grips used to steal the car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy was tested and found to have cannabis in his system. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe boy was driving on the wrong side of the N3 road in Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe boy went through a red light at Collins Avenue and another at the junction with Malahide Road. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe chase route went through Artane and Coolock before ending in Greenwood Estate. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe car was stolen from outside its owner's home in Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on the night of 23 November 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe boy pleaded guilty to motor theft, criminal damage, driving under the influence of cannabis, no licence, no insurance, and multiple counts of dangerous driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Paul Kelly adjourned sentencing for a probation report. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy had no prior criminal convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy was assessed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy's school highlighted his ADHD but he never received support or medication. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy has not come to further Garda attention and changed his peer group. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Oct2021
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Boy (15) on cannabis led gardaí on 140km per hour chase in stolen car across Dublin

    Court hearing at Dublin Children's Court where the boy pleaded guilty to multiple charges arising from a 10-minute high-speed chase; sentencing adjourned for a probation report.

    accused, 15, male