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. 21664Theft (stolen bus) · Co. Clare · 22 Mar 2023

Bus theft investigation ongoing after stolen coach found under bridge in Clare

A white Volvo double-decker coach operated by a private transport company was stolen from Friar's Walk Coach Park in Ennis, Co Clare, in the early hours of Wednesday 22 March 2023. The bus was found crashed into an underpass on the N18 dual-carriageway at Ballymorris, Cratloe, shortly after 6am, extensively damaged with the upper deck roof almost ripped off. No structural damage was caused to the bridge. No arrests have been made and Gardaí are appealing for dash cam footage and witnesses of the bus travelling erratically between Ennis and Shannon. The vehicle has been removed from the scene for technical and forensic analysis.

  1. Reported22 Mar
    3 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A white Volvo double-decker coach operated by a private transport company was stolen from Friar's Walk Coach Park in Ennis, Co Clare.
  • The bus was found crashed into an underpass on the N18 dual-carriageway at Ballymorris, Cratloe, extensively damaged with the upper deck roof almost ripped off.
  • No structural damage was caused to the bridge.
When
The bus was stolen in the early hours of Wednesday 22 March 2023, possibly between 1am and 5am, and discovered shortly after 6am.
Investigation
  • No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
  • Gardaí are appealing for dash cam footage and witnesses of a bus travelling erratically between Ennis and Shannon overnight.
  • The vehicle has been removed from the scene and will be subjected to technical and forensic analysis.
Other details
  • The L3120 road was closed for several hours while heavy lifting equipment was used to replace the roof before the bus was towed away at around 10.20am.
  • Traffic on the N18 was not affected.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe stolen vehicle was a double-decker coach operated by a private transport company. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle had been stolen from a parking area in Ennis earlier in the morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe bus was extensively damaged and the roof of the upper deck had almost been ripped off. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatNo structural damage was caused to the bridge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe stolen bus was a white Volvo. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA bus was stolen in County Clare in the early hours of Wednesday 22 March 2023 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe bus was abandoned after being damaged while being driven under a bridge close to the N18 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA white Volvo bus was stolen in County Clare in the early hours of Wednesday 22 March 2023 (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe bus was found crashed into an underpass on the N18 dual-carriageway at Ballymorris, Cratloe, Co Clare. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe bus was located in the Ballymorris area of Shannon shortly before 7am (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe bus was discovered shortly after 6am on 22 March 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe bus was towed away at around 10.20am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe bus was possibly stolen between 1am and 5am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie, limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are asking for dash cam footage or witnesses of a bus travelling south along the M18 and N18 between Ennis and Cratloe overnight. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe vehicle will be subjected to technical and forensic analysis (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are asking for dash cam footage or witnesses of a bus travelling erratically overnight between Ennis and Shannon (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe vehicle has been removed from the scene and will be subjected to technical and forensic analysis (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have asked for dash cam footage or witnesses of a bus travelling erratically overnight between Ennis and Shannon (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe L3120 road was closed for several hours. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTraffic on the N18 was not affected. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHeavy lifting equipment was needed to replace the roof before the bus could be removed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherEnnis garda station can be contacted via 065 6848100 (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherSocial media images suggest the bus was abandoned after being damaged while being driven under a bridge close to the N18 (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2023
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, follow-up
    Investigation underway following theft of bus in County Clare

    Confirms the bus was recovered in Ballymorris, Shannon, before 7am; vehicle removed for technical and forensic analysis; no arrests; social media images suggest the bus was abandoned after being damaged under a bridge near the N18; Gardaí appealing for dash cam footage and witnesses of erratic bus travel between Ennis and Shannon.

  2. 22 Mar2023
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, its first report
    Investigation underway following theft of bus in Clare

    Confirms the bus was recovered in Ballymorris, Shannon, before 7am; it will undergo technical and forensic analysis; social media images suggest it was abandoned after being damaged under a bridge near the N18; Gardaí appealing for dash cam footage and witnesses of erratic bus travel between Ennis and Shannon.

  3. 22 Mar2023
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardaí investigating theft of bus after it was found crashed under bridge

    Initial report of the theft and discovery of the crashed bus; no arrests made, investigation ongoing, Gardaí appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage.