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. 7163Dangerous driving · Co. Clare · 25 Apr 2020

Man avoids prison over 200kmph Covid checkpoint chase in 2020

On 25 April 2020, during the Covid lockdown, Alex Almajanu, a 23-year-old man, was stopped at a checkpoint in County Clare at 5.20pm and then led gardaí on a chase of about 90 km through Offaly, Westmeath and Meath, reaching 200 km/h near Kilbeggan. The pursuit ended after he struck a garda patrol car past the M50 flyover, and he was arrested at the scene. He pleaded guilty to endangerment, two Covid regulation breaches, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and criminal damage. At sentencing, reported on 7 November 2023, the judge imposed two years and three months, fully suspended for three years on condition of 12 months' engagement with the Probation Service, and disqualified him from driving for five years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Alex Almajanu, a 23-year-old man, was stopped at a Covid checkpoint and later led gardaí on a high-speed chase.
  • Almajanu told gardaí he was travelling from Dublin to check on a pregnant horse in Limerick, and gardaí were not satisfied with the account.
  • Almajanu drove at a garda checkpoint in Tullamore, forcing two gardaí to jump out of the way.
  • The chase covered about 90 km and reached 200 km/h near Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, with sources differing on which vehicle was at that speed.
  • Almajanu overtook a vehicle at speed on a bend and approached roundabouts without giving way.
  • Almajanu struck a garda patrol car after the M50 flyover, ending the pursuit, and was arrested at the scene.
Where
The first stop was at a checkpoint in County Clare, though one source says he drove off from a Covid checkpoint in Birr, County Offaly.
When
The Clare checkpoint stop took place on 25 April 2020 at 5.20pm.
Investigation
  • The garda armed support unit joined the pursuit at around Enfield, County Meath, on the M4.
  • A stinger deployed near junction five deflated two tyres, but Almajanu kept driving.
Other details
The strike caused just over €13,000 of damage to the garda patrol car.
Charges
Almajanu pleaded guilty to endangerment, two breaches of Covid regulations, dangerous driving, not holding a driver's licence, and criminal damage on the basis of recklessness.
In court
The judge said the offences warranted a headline sentence of three years.
Sentence
  • A sentence of two years and three months was imposed, fully suspended for three years on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months.
  • Almajanu was disqualified from driving for five years.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAlmajanu drove off at speed from a Covid checkpoint in Birr, County Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAlmajanu drove at a garda checkpoint in Tullamore, forcing two gardaí to jump out of the way. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA high-speed chase followed, with the garda driving at 200 km/hr near Kilbeggan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAlmajanu overtook a vehicle at speed on a bend and approached roundabouts without giving way. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAlmajanu struck a garda patrol car after the M50 flyover, ending the pursuit, and was arrested at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe chase passed through Kilbeggan in County Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenAlmajanu was stopped at a checkpoint in County Clare on 25 April 2020 at 5.20pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe garda armed support unit joined the pursuit at around Enfield, County Meath, on the M4. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAlmajanu pleaded guilty to endangerment, two breaches of Covid regulations, dangerous driving, not holding a driver’s licence, and criminal damage on the basis of recklessness. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the offences warranted a headline sentence of three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceA sentence of two years and three months was imposed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe entire sentence was suspended for three years on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAlmajanu was disqualified from driving for five years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA stinger was deployed near junction five, deflating two tyres, but Almajanu kept driving. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherJust over €13,000 of damage was caused to the garda patrol car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted that Almajanu had dealt with his drug addiction and become a father. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Nov2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man who almost smashed into gardai during 200kmph high speed chase avoids prison

    Sentencing report for a 2020 incident that is not in the existing case list. The article covers the Clare checkpoint stop, the Offaly and Westmeath pursuit, the strike on a garda patrol car, the guilty pleas, and the suspended sentence.

    convicted, Alex Almajanu, 23, male, namedAlex Almajanu