Saturday 31 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. 18949Dangerous driving · Co. Tipperary · 20 Sep 2022

Driver jailed for dangerous driving on M7 near Nenagh

Dion Franklin, a 24-year-old man of Rathbane, Limerick, drove through an emergency incident on the M7 at Birdhill and Carrigatoher, Nenagh, on 20 September 2022, scattering emergency services personnel. Gardaí followed the vehicle, which reached over 204km/h at Birdhill. Franklin was brought to Henry Street Garda Station and charged, and he pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving and to possession offences at Benedine, Nenagh. Reported on 7 December 2023, he was jailed for six months by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court, disqualified from driving for four years, and fined €150 for possession of cannabis.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced6 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A motorist drove through an accident scene on the M7, where emergency services were dealing with a deer that had been struck and killed on the Tipperary and Limerick border, scattering emergency services personnel.
Where
The dangerous driving offences occurred at Birdhill and Carrigatoher, Nenagh, on the M7.
When
The offences occurred on 20 September 2022.
Cause
The vehicle drove through the incident location on the hard shoulder, and fire officers and gardaí had to run out of its way.
Other details
  • Gardaí followed the vehicle, which reached over 204km/h at Birdhill.
  • Mr Franklin said he had panicked and should have stopped.
Charges
  • Dion Franklin pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving.
  • He also pleaded guilty to possession of a balaclava with intent to commit a crime, and to possession of cannabis and possession for sale or supply, at Benedine, Nenagh, on the same occasion.
  • Mr Franklin was brought to Henry Street Garda Station, where he was charged.
  • He was not charged with stealing the vehicle, and its owner had never been located.
In court
The case was heard at Nenagh District Court before Judge Elizabeth MacGrath.
Sentence
  • He was jailed for a total of six months for dangerous driving.
  • He was disqualified from driving for a total of four years.
  • He was fined €150 for possession of cannabis.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA motorist drove through an accident scene on the M7 and scattered emergency services personnel. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at Birdhill and Carrigatoher, Nenagh. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe dangerous driving offences occurred on 20 September 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused also pleaded to possession of a balaclava with intent to commit a crime, and to possession of cannabis and possession for sale or supply. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeMr Franklin was brought to Henry Street Garda Station, where he was charged. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Nenagh District Court before Judge Elizabeth MacGrath. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was jailed for a total of six months for dangerous driving. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was disqualified from driving for a total of four years. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was fined €150 for possession of cannabis. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherEmergency services were dealing with an incident on the Tipperary / Limerick border in which a deer had been struck and killed. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe vehicle drove through the incident location on the hard shoulder, and fire officers and gardaí had to run out of its way. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherGardaí followed the vehicle, which reached over 204km/h at Birdhill. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherHe was not charged with stealing the vehicle, and its owner had never been located. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherMr Franklin said he had panicked and should have stopped. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Dec2023
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Man who 'scattered' emergency crews on Tipperary motorway is jailed for dangerous driving

    Court sentencing report. Gives the sentence, the disqualification, the fine for cannabis, and the chase and arrest details. The offences are dated 20 September 2022 and the article was published 6-7 December 2023.

    convicted, Dion Franklin, 24, male, namedDion Franklin