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. 4861Unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 26 Jul 2023

Donna Dineen jailed for hijacking taxi and choking driver in Phoenix Park

Donna Dineen was sentenced to five years and three months, with the final nine months suspended, after pleading guilty to the unlawful seizure of a taxi and assault causing harm. The offences took place in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on 26 July 2023, when she choked the driver with a seatbelt and then drove off in his taxi.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Oct
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman hijacked a taxi after using the seat belt to choke the driver, rendering him temporarily unconscious. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDineen dragged the driver out of the vehicle, punched or kicked him in the face and drove off in the taxi. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDineen dragged the driver out of the taxi, punched or kicked him in the face, and drove off in the taxi. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Phoenix Park, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe taxi driver picked up the two women outside the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street at 5.40am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place at Phoenix Park, Dublin, on July 26th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences took place on 26 July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeDineen put a seatbelt around the driver's neck, and he began to lose consciousness. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCo-accused Gillian Byrne phoned 999 immediately afterwards to tell gardaí about the offence and her role in it. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDineen pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDineen pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCo-accused Gillian Byrne pleaded guilty to the same offences and is to be sentenced next year. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtByrne's sentencing was adjourned and a probation report was ordered for sentencing on 28 February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDineen was sentenced to five years and three months. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe final nine months of Dineen's sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months' supervision by the Probation Service. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe final nine months of Dineen's sentence were suspended on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDineen must remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the assault as particularly brutal. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDineen has 67 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe taxi driver has not driven a taxi since the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe driver suffered cuts, bruises and minor injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe taxi driver had not returned to working as a taxi driver after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherByrne is to be sentenced next year after pleading guilty. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Oct2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    'Brutal assault' woman who choked driver with seatbelt and stole his taxi jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Donna Dineen and the adjourned sentencing of co-accused Gillian Byrne. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, Donna Dineen, 28, female, named, irish (judged from name)Donna Dineenvictim, late 60s, maleconvicted, Gillian Byrne, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Gillian Byrne
  2. 24 Oct2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman who hijacked taxi in Dublin’s Phoenix Park jailed for 4½ years

    Reports the sentencing of Donna Dineen and the guilty plea of co-accused Gillian Byrne, whose sentencing was adjourned to February 28th. Gives the sentence, the assault details and Dineen's previous convictions.

    victim, late 60s, maleconvicted, Donna Dineen, 28, female, named, irish (judged from name)Donna Dineenconvicted, Gillian Byrne, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Gillian Byrne