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. 1912Fatal road traffic collision (hit-and-run) · Co. Dublin · 17 Jul 2024

Inquest hears Dublin man killed in hit-and-run identified by DNA

Michael "Mikey" Farrelly, a 40-year-old man, was killed when struck by a stolen Hyundai Kona on Coast Road, Baldoyle, Dublin, at around 1am on 17 July 2024, while returning home to Sutton after a night out. The driver and passenger, suspected members of the Lucky Dip car-theft gang, failed to remain at the scene, and a number of teenagers including the suspected ringleader were arrested but released without charge. At the opening of the inquest at Dublin District Coroner's Court on 7 April 2025, evidence was heard that DNA profiling was required to identify the victim due to the extent of his injuries. Coroner Clare Keane granted an adjournment under Section 25(1) of the Coroners Act, listing the case for further mention on 6 October 2025.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michael "Mikey" Farrelly, a 40-year-old man, was struck and killed by a stolen Hyundai Kona on Coast Road, Baldoyle, at around 1am on 17 July 2024.
  • The Hyundai Kona had been stolen the previous evening from outside a house in Malahide.
Where
He was returning to his home in Sutton, approximately 50 metres from the entrance to his housing estate, after attending Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre and going for drinks.
Other details
  • The driver and passenger are suspected of being members of the Lucky Dip gang, a loose network of around 60 teenagers based in Ballyfermot, Inchicore and Blanchardstown who specialise in car theft.
  • A teenager from Blanchardstown, a key member of the Lucky Dip gang, who was 18 at the time, is believed to have been driving the stolen car.
  • Conor Farrelly said at least one person in the car was on bail and under curfew at the time of the accident.
Investigation
  • DNA profiling was required to identify the victim due to the extent of his injuries; FSI forensic scientist Dearbhla McGovern compared a blood sample from the victim with one from his father Philip Farrelly, showing the likelihood he was the biological son was 7.2 million times more likely than an unknown unrelated individual.
  • A number of teenagers including the suspected ringleader of the Lucky Dip gang were arrested but released without charge.
In court
  • At the opening of the inquest at Dublin District Coroner's Court on 7 April 2025, Detective Inspector Donncha Maguire applied for an adjournment under Section 25(1) of the Coroners Act.
  • Coroner Clare Keane granted the adjournment and listed the case for further mention on 6 October 2025.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe vehicle involved was a Hyundai Kona. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe Hyundai Kona was stolen the evening before the fatal crash from outside a house in Malahide. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe had been attending Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin with relatives before going for drinks in a local pub. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatMichael Farrelly was killed when struck by a stolen vehicle on Coast Road, Baldoyle. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe car had been stolen the previous evening from outside a house in Malahide. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe victim was pronounced dead at the scene. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereMr Farrelly was returning to his home in Sutton when he was struck. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMr Farrelly was returning to his home in Sutton after a night out with his family. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereHe was struck around 50 metres from the entrance to the housing estate where he lived. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at around 1am on 17 July 2024. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationDNA profiling showed the likelihood the victim was the biological son was 7.2 million times more likely than being an unknown unrelated individual. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThere was one particular line of inquiry delaying the submission of a file to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationDNA profiling was required to identify the victim due to the extent of his injuries. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationFSI forensic scientist Dearbhla McGovern obtained a blood sample from the victim and compared it with one from his father Philip Farrelly. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationDNA profiling showed the likelihood the victim was the biological son was 7.2 million times more likely than an unknown unrelated individual. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationA number of teenagers including the suspected ringleader of the Lucky Dip gang were arrested but released without charge. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtDetective Inspector Donncha Maguire applied for an adjournment under Section 25(1) of the Coroners Act. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtCoroner Clare Keane granted the adjournment and listed the case for further mention on October 6. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe 'Lucky Dip' gang is a loose network of around 60 teenagers based in Ballyfermot, Inchicore and Blanchardstown who specialise in car theft. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherConor Farrelly said at least one person in the car was on bail and under curfew at the time of the accident. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe driver and passenger are suspected of being members of the Lucky Dip criminal gang. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherA teenager from Blanchardstown, a key member of the Lucky Dip gang, who was 18 at the time, is believed to have been driving the stolen car. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherAt his funeral mass, mourners heard he had recorded an album of his own music shortly before his death. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Apr2025
    In courtdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Dublin man killed in hit-and-run had to be identified by DNA, inquest hears

    Inquest opened at Dublin District Coroner's Court; DNA identification evidence heard; adjourned to October 6 under Section 25(1) of the Coroners Act to allow Garda investigation to progress; details of the Lucky Dip gang and the stolen Hyundai Kona provided.

    victim, Michael "Mikey" Farrelly, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Michael "Mikey" Farrellysuspect, 18, malesuspect, male
  2. 7 Apr2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man killed in Dublin hit-and-run by Lucky Dip gang had to be identified by DNA

    Inquest opened; DNA identification confirmed; vehicle history and Lucky Dip gang details revealed; adjourned to October 6 pending DPP file

    victim, 40, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, 18, malesuspect, male