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. 18592Dangerous driving · Co. Limerick · 31 Dec 2023

Limerick motorist fined and disqualified after driving off from gardaí

Dean Buston, a 22-year-old man of Killeheen, Ardagh, drove a van off from gardaí in Rathkeale, County Limerick, on December 31, 2023, after a short chase. He was arrested for dangerous driving, and at Newcastle West court he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to having no insurance on a vehicle. The judge fined him €350 for dangerous driving and €600 for the insurance charge, and disqualified him from driving for two years. The sentence was reported in January 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Dean Buston, aged 22, of Killeheen, Ardagh, drove a van off from gardaí.
Where
The incident took place in Rathkeale, County Limerick.
When
The incident took place on December 31, 2023, New Year's Eve.
Cause
The driver said he had been collecting friends from a pub and drove off in a moment of panic after having a drink.
Other details
  • The driver said he had consumed one drink at the pub.
  • The driver took a breath test and was not over the limit.
  • The driver told gardaí he had no insurance.
  • The court report is dated January 17, 2024 in one source and January 20, 2024 in its byline.
Investigation
  • Garda Tommy Commane said he was on patrol and saw the van leave a hotel, and the van drove a short distance before stopping.
  • The driver was arrested for dangerous driving.
Charges
The driver pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and to having no insurance on a vehicle.
In court
The prosecution said the driver had a previous conviction for careless driving and for driving without insurance.
Sentence
  • The judge convicted the driver and fined him €350 for dangerous driving.
  • The judge fined the driver €600 for the insurance charge and disqualified him from driving for two years.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place in Rathkeale. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on December 31, 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe driver had been collecting friends from the pub and drove off from gardaí in a moment of panic after a drink was taken. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested the driver for dangerous driving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe driver pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and to having no insurance on a vehicle. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the driver had a previous conviction for careless driving and for driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge disqualified the driver from driving for two years and fined him €600 for the insurance charge. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted the driver and fined him €350 for dangerous driving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe driver had consumed one drink at the pub. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe driver did a breath test and was not over the limit. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe driver told gardaí he had no insurance. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jan2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick motorist ‘panicked’ when he drove off from gardaí as he had consumed one drink

    Reports the guilty plea, the court's disqualification and fines, the driver's account that he panicked after having one drink, and the garda evidence that he was stopped after a short chase and gave details of having no insurance.

    convicted, Dean Buston, 22, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Buston