Ireland Man jailed over wrong-way M9 pursuit at up to 200kph
Dean Pepper, a 22-year-old man, pleaded guilty to endangerment and no insurance over a pursuit on the M9 at Danesfort, Co Kilkenny, on 19 August 2021. A garda detected his black Ford Focus at 152kph in a 120kph zone at 3.24pm, and the car then travelled the wrong way on the motorway at reported speeds of 180kph to 200kph before stopping and its occupants fled on foot. The garda recognised the defendant at the scene, arrested him and took him to Kilkenny Garda Station. On 12 March 2024 at Kilkenny Circuit Court, Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a four-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, though one report gives the sentence as two and a half years in prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Dean Pepper, aged 22, pleaded guilty to endangerment and to no insurance on the M9.
- Garda Damien Rafter detected a black Ford Focus travelling at 152kph in a 120kph zone.
- The Focus was reported at 180kph, and between 180kph and 200kph while failing to pull in.
- At Junction 3 the Focus left the motorway, drove around a roundabout three times, then travelled back down the motorway the wrong way.
- The Focus stopped and its occupants escaped on foot towards a wooded area.
- When
- The offence took place on 19 August 2021, with the garda detection at 3.24pm.
- Where
- A garda was carrying out a speed detection check at the M9 overpass at Danesfort, Co Kilkenny.
- Investigation
- The garda activated the patrol car's blue lights, followed the vehicle and signalled the driver to pull in.
- A garda recognised the defendant at the scene, arrested him and brought him to Kilkenny Garda Station.
- In court
- The defendant has 20 previous convictions, 18 of them under the Road Traffic Acts, and was disqualified from driving at the time.
- The defendant co-operated, is in employment, is drug free and has family support.
- Sentencing took place at Kilkenny Circuit Court on 12 March 2024 before Judge Cormac Quinn.
- Sentence
- Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a four-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, while one report gives the sentence as a two and a half year prison term.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man pleaded guilty to endangerment after driving down the M9 at speeds of 180 kilometres in the wrong direction. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatAt 3.24pm a garda detected a black Ford Focus travelling at 152 kilometres per hour in a 120 kilometre zone. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe Focus was driving at speeds between 180 and 200kph while failing to pull in. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatAt Junction 3 the Focus exited the motorway, went around a roundabout three times, then travelled back down the motorway in the incorrect direction. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe Focus stopped and its occupants escaped on foot towards a wooded area. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereA garda was carrying out a speed detection check at the overpass on the M9 at Danesfort. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenDean Pepper pleaded to endangerment and to no insurance on the M9 on 19 August 2021. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe garda activated the patrol car's blue lights and followed the vehicle, signalling the driver to pull in. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationA garda recognised the defendant at the scene, arrested him and brought him to Kilkenny Garda Station. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe defendant has 20 previous convictions, including 18 under the Road Traffic Acts, and was disqualified from driving at the time. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe defendant, aged 22, co-operated, is in employment, is drug free and has family support. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceJudge Cormac Quinn imposed a four-year sentence and suspended the final 18 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Mar2024Garda chase as driver went wrong way down motorway at 180kph - Kilkenny Live
Sentencing report from Kilkenny Circuit Court. Adds the guilty plea, the garda evidence of the pursuit's route and speeds, the defendant's age and record, and the sentence of four years with the final 18 months suspended.
convicted, Dean Pepper, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Pepper