Thursday 29 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. 7984Dangerous driving · Co. Limerick · 17 Aug 2024

Limerick motorist jailed for deliberately driving at off-duty garda

On 17 August 2024, a man threatened an off-duty member of An Garda Síochána on Mallow Street in Limerick city centre and then drove his car at him. Thomas Kiely, aged 32, of Sycamore Heights, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick, was charged with five counts of dangerous driving, not having insurance and driving without a licence. Kiely was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for dangerous driving, to be added to a Circuit Court sentence imposed in July, and was given a 10-year driving disqualification. On 21 September 2026, Judge Catherine Ryan jailed him and backdated the sentence to when he first entered custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man threatened an off-duty garda before deliberately driving his car at him.
  • Kiely warned the garda that he would keep driving towards him if he did not move, and the garda moved away in fear for his safety before Kiely drove off.
Where
  • The off-duty garda had parked his car on Mallow Street in Limerick city centre.
  • Kiely drove past Carey's Road to Roxboro Road, where the garda caught up with him.
When
The incident happened on 17 August 2024.
Charges
Kiely was charged with five counts of dangerous driving, not having insurance and driving without a licence.
In court
Kiely was sentenced for dangerous driving, which the facts describe as causing danger to a member of An Garda Síochána.
Sentence
  • On 21 September 2026, Judge Catherine Ryan jailed Kiely for six months on the dangerous driving charge, to be added to a Circuit Court sentence imposed in July.
  • The judge imposed a 10-year driving disqualification on Kiely.
  • The sentence is backdated to when Kiely first entered custody.
Other details
  • The judge was told Kiely has 137 previous convictions.
  • The solicitor said Kiely was not in a good place mentally on the date of the offence.
  • The judge said Kiely had shown intention and could have injured the garda.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man threatened an off-duty garda before deliberately driving his car at him. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatKiely drove at the garda and warned him that he would keep driving towards him if he did not move. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe garda moved away in fear for his safety, and Kiely then drove off. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe off-duty garda had parked his car on Mallow Street in the city centre. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereKiely drove up past Carey's Road to Roxboro Road, where the garda caught up with him. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on August 17, 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKiely was charged with five counts of dangerous driving, not having insurance and driving without a licence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeKiely was sentenced for causing danger to a member of An Garda Siochana. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceKiely was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for the dangerous driving charge, to be added to the Circuit Court sentence imposed in July. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a 10-year driving disqualification on Kiely. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence is backdated to when Kiely first entered custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge was told Kiely has 137 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said Kiely was not in a good place mentally on the date of the offence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the defendant had shown intention and could have injured the garda. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Sep2026
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick motorist jailed and banned for deliberately 'driving at' off-duty garda

    Court report on sentencing. Adds the sentence, the 10-year driving disqualification, the charges and the judge's comments; no earlier article about this case is in the list.

    convicted, Thomas Kiely, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Kielyvictim, male