Ireland Man sentenced over garda chase and footpath driving in Limerick city
Luke Hayes, aged 24, of Garryowen, Limerick city, was involved in a garda chase in Limerick city on May 6, 2023, during which he drove onto footpaths and forced a woman with a child to jump out of the way on Parnell Street. Earlier, on January 27, 2023, he drove the front wheel of a scrambler into a man on Ellen Street on two occasions. Hayes pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of endangerment, 14 counts of dangerous driving, and one count each of driving without insurance and without a licence. Judge Colin Daly sentenced him to four years and eight months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, and banned him from driving for five years from his release, as reported on March 12, 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Luke Hayes, aged 24, of Downey Street, Killalee, Garryowen, Limerick city, is the defendant in the case.
- When
- On January 27, 2023, Hayes drove the front wheel of a scrambler into a man on Ellen Street on two occasions.
- On May 6, 2023, at 4.38pm, gardaí observed Hayes driving a blue Volkswagen Golf on the Hyde Road in Limerick city.
- Where
- Hayes mounted a footpath at the junction of Parnell Street and Roches Street and forced a woman with a child to jump out of the way.
- Hayes drove onto a footpath in a residential area in Garryowen where children were playing.
- Cause
- The footpath driving took place while gardaí were chasing Hayes.
- Investigation
- Gardaí stood down their pursuit because it was too dangerous to continue following Hayes.
- Charges
- Hayes pleaded guilty to four counts of endangerment and 14 counts of dangerous driving.
- Hayes pleaded guilty to one count each of driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
- In court
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Colin Daly.
- Sentence
- Hayes was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.
- Hayes was banned from driving for five years from the date of his release.
- Other details
- Judge Daly said the motorist displayed a callous disregard for the safety of others.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLuke Hayes pleaded guilty to four counts of endangerment, 14 counts of dangerous driving, and one count each of driving without insurance and driving without a licence. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatHayes drove again onto a footpath in a residential area in Garryowen, where children were playing. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatA separate incident on Ellen Street on January 27, 2023 involved Hayes driving the front wheel of a scrambler into a male on two occasions. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereHayes mounted a footpath at the junction of Parnell Street and Roches Street and forced a woman with a child to jump out of the way. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenGardaí observed Hayes driving a blue Volkswagen Golf on the Hyde Road in Limerick city at 4.38pm on May 6, 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí stood down their pursuit because it was too dangerous to continue following Hayes. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Colin Daly sentenced Hayes to four years and eight months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Daly banned Hayes from driving for five years from the date of his release. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Mar2026Woman with a child had to jump out of the way after car mounts footpath in Limerick during garda chase
Court report on sentencing. Adds the guilty pleas, the sentence and driving ban, the footpath incident, and an earlier scrambler endangerment offence the defendant also pleaded guilty to.
convicted, Luke Hayes, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Luke Hayesvictim, femalevictim, male