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. 1652Unlawful seizure of a vehicle (carjacking) · Co. Dublin · 21 Aug 2022

Francis Broughan jailed for eight years for leaving baby on Dublin road after car theft

Francis Broughan, 47, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle in Cabra, Dublin, on 21 August 2022, during which a 10-month-old baby was left between parked cars on a busy road.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBroughan was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA 10-month-old baby was left between parked cars on the side of a busy Dublin road. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo women heard a baby crying and saw Broughan slamming a rear car door before he drove off. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe baby was found lying on her front on the ground between parked cars. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe baby was checked by paramedics at the scene and did not require further medical attention. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBroughan had previously hijacked a car from an 81-year-old man in North Dublin by holding an object to his neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBroughan has 56 previous convictions including burglary, road traffic and drugs offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was on bail at the time of the offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBroughan told gardaí he could not recall what happened and was addicted to crack cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe identified himself on CCTV, expressed shame, disgust and embarrassment, and apologised. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBroughan outlined his history of heroin addiction, relapse in 2022 after losing his job, and said he was now drug-free and working. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe mother said the boy felt guilty for leaving his sister and had to be consoled. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe car was hijacked in Cabra, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on the night of 21 August 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Elva Duffy imposed the eight-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who left baby on side of Dublin road after stealing car is jailed for eight years

    Sentencing report: Broughan received eight years for the Cabra car theft in which a 10-month-old baby was left on a busy road; court also heard about a prior carjacking from an 81-year-old man in North Dublin.

    convicted, Francis Broughan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Francis Broughanvictim, 10 months, femalevictim, 7, malevictim, female