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. 8811Carjacking · Co. Dublin

Man jailed for nine and a half years over two Dublin carjackings

Anthony Cooney, 38, was arrested at the scene after two Dublin carjackings in which he held a knife to the neck of a 70-year-old woman, held a fork to the necks of a couple, and crashed a stolen car into a van. The first carjacking happened at about 5pm on 8 January, and the offending was linked to his drug addiction. Cooney was charged at Dublin District Court, refused bail and entered signed pleas to 19 charges. He was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine and a half years for the unlawful seizure involving the couple, with other sentences concurrent, and was disqualified from driving for eight years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anthony Cooney, 38, held a knife to the neck of a 70-year-old woman after getting into her car and told her he was going to kill her.
  • Cooney opened the back door of a couple's car, got in, and held a fork that the victims thought was a knife to their necks.
  • Cooney drove the stolen car across the city at speeds over 100km/h and broke red lights.
  • The stolen car crashed into a commercial van at the junction of the Naas road and the Kylemore road, and the van's driver and passenger were hospitalised without serious injuries.
Where
The second carjacking involved a 45-year-old teacher and his wife, picked up from South Great Georges Street in Dublin city centre.
When
The first carjacking happened at about 5pm on 8 January; the source does not give the year.
Cause
The offending was linked to Cooney trying to get money to feed his chronic drug addiction.
Weapon
A dining knife was found in the back of the car.
Other details
  • The source lists five victims, while the article says Cooney hijacked three people and left three with lasting psychological injuries.
  • Cooney has 70 previous convictions, including burglary, robbery and car theft.
Investigation
Cooney was arrested at the scene and was too intoxicated to be interviewed.
Charges
Cooney was charged at Dublin District Court, refused bail and entered signed pleas to 19 charges.
In court
The sentencing was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Cooney was sentenced to nine and a half years for the unlawful seizure involving the couple, with the other sentences running concurrently, and the maximum penalty for that offence is 15 years.
  • Cooney was disqualified from driving for eight years.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCooney held a knife to the neck of a 70-year-old woman after getting into her car. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatCooney told the woman he was going to kill her. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatCooney opened the back door of the couple's car and got in. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatCooney drove the car across the city at speeds over 100km/h and broke red lights. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe stolen car crashed into a commercial van at the junction of the Naas road and the Kylemore road. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe second carjacking involved a 45-year-old teacher and his wife, picked up from South Great Georges Street in Dublin city centre. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe first carjacking happened at about 5pm on 8 January. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe offending was linked to Cooney trying to get money to feed his chronic drug addiction. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponA dining knife was found in the back of the car. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponA fork, which the victims thought was a knife, was held to the necks of the couple. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationCooney was arrested at the scene and was too intoxicated to be interviewed. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCooney was charged at Dublin District Court and refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCooney entered signed pleas to 19 charges. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCooney was sentenced to nine and a half years for the unlawful seizure involving the couple. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe other sentences were ordered to run concurrently. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCooney was disqualified from driving for eight years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe driver and passenger of the van were hospitalised but did not sustain serious injuries. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe maximum penalty for the unlawful seizure is 15 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCooney has 70 previous convictions, including burglary, robbery and car theft. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jul2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who threatened to kill victims in two Dublin carjackings jailed for nine-and-a-half years

    Reports the sentencing of Anthony Cooney, including the sentence length, concurrent sentences, driving disqualification, victim impact and his previous convictions.

    convicted, Anthony Cooney, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Cooneyvictim, 70, femalevictim, 45, malevictim, femalevictimvictim