Man sentenced to seven years for hijacking and abduction in Dublin
On 23 September 2024, a man hijacked a silver Nissan Qashqai with five-month-old Daisy Hall in the back seat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, after the mother stepped out to retrieve a buggy from the boot. The car was found on North Richmond Street about three hours later with the baby safe and well, and a Child Rescue Ireland alert was issued and stood down. Noel Ryan, a man of no fixed abode, was arrested the following day and charged with unlawful seizure of a vehicle and abduction of a child. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April 2025 and was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Martin Nolan.
- Reported23 Sep
14 reports - Arrested23 Sep
6 reports - Charged23 Sep
4 reports - In court26 Sep
2 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Apr
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man hijacked a silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback (registration 10-D-21328) with five-month-old Daisy Hall in the back seat while the mother was retrieving a buggy from the boot.
- Where
- The hijacking took place at Mountjoy Square West, Dublin 1 (also described as the Gardiner Street area), and the car was found on North Richmond Street, Dublin 1, about 600 metres away.
- When
- The incident occurred at approximately 1:50pm on Monday 23 September 2024, and the car and baby were recovered at around 4:05pm.
- Cause
- Gardaí believe the offence was opportunistic and that the man abandoned the car after realising the child was inside.
- Investigation
- Gardaí issued a Child Rescue Ireland alert at 3:56pm, which was stood down at 4:17pm after the baby was found safe and well.
- A man in his 40s was arrested on 24 September 2024 and held at a Garda station in north Dublin.
- Charges
- Noel Ryan, of no fixed abode, was charged with unlawful seizure of a vehicle under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976 and abduction of a child under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
- In court
- Ryan appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court on 26 September 2024 and was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 3 October.
- Sentence
- Ryan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April 2025, backdated to when he went into custody.
- Other details
- Ryan, aged 47 at charging and 48 at sentencing, has 41 previous convictions including for theft, aggravated burglary, road traffic matters and misuse of drugs, and a history of heroin and cocaine addiction.
- CCTV showed the mother holding onto the car door as Ryan drove off and being dragged, and Ryan used her credit card in a nearby shop 12 minutes after the car was taken.
- In his sixth interview, Ryan admitted he did not know there was a child in the car and said he went to Clarence Street to get a friend to ring the gardaí.
245 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA vehicle was hijacked in Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí arrested a man as part of the investigation into a vehicle hijacking. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí are urgently seeking public help to locate a missing silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback. (garda.ie)
- whatA silver Nissan Qashqai was stolen. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA young baby was in the back seat when the car was taken. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA five-month-old baby girl was found safe and well after going missing in Dublin's north inner city. (rte.ie)
- whatThe man was not known to the child or her family. (rte.ie)
- whatA silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback, registration number 10-D-21328, is missing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA car with a baby on board was hijacked in Dublin. (gript.ie)
- whatThe baby was a five-month-old girl in the back seat. (gript.ie)
- whatA man in dark clothing and a baseball cap allegedly hijacked the car. (gript.ie)
- whatA silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback, registration number 10-D-21328, was hijacked. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe car was hijacked by a man who is not known to Daisy or her family. (kildarenow.com)
- whatGardaí appealed for witnesses to a car theft after a Child Rescue Alert was called off. (gript.ie)
- whatA five-month-old baby girl was in the back of the car when it was hijacked. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe car was a silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe man jumped into the car and drove off while the mother tried to chase it. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe vehicle was a Silver Nissan Qashqai Hatchback, registration number 10-D-21328. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car was hijacked by a man who is not known to the baby or her family. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe baby was in the car when it was taken. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOfficers searched for a silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback that was taken with a baby girl inside. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatGardaí said a car was hijacked with a little baby girl inside. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA silver Nissan Qashqai was stolen from Mountjoy Square West in Dublin 1 (corkbeo.ie)
- whatA five-month-old baby girl was in the rear of the car when it was stolen (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe mother had just stepped out of the vehicle when a middle-aged man entered the car and drove off with the child (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe suspect is described as a white, middle-aged man wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap (corkbeo.ie)
- whatGardaí recovered an infant. (extra.ie)
- whatA Nissan Qashqui car with a five-month baby girl in the back seat was stolen. (kildarenow.com)
- whatA man was arrested in connection with the hijacking of a car in Dublin city, with a five-month-old baby in the back seat. (rte.ie)
- whatThe mother had just stepped out of the car when a man jumped in and drove off with the child. (rte.ie)
- whatThe man, aged in his 40s, was arrested on the evening of the article. (rte.ie)
- whatA car with a baby girl inside was hijacked. (extra.ie)
- whatA five-month-old girl was in the back of the car when it was stolen. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA car was hijacked with a five-month-old baby girl inside. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the hijacking of a car containing a five-month-old baby in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car was a Silver Nissan Qashqai Hatchback with registration 10-D-21328. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe mother stepped out of the vehicle briefly and the man jumped in and drove off. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe distressed mother chased after the vehicle and contacted An Garda Síochána. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí believe the hijacker knew the baby was in the back seat when he took the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe suspect has more than a dozen criminal convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe suspect has battled heroin and cocaine addiction on and off for two decades. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSeveral of the suspect's convictions are for stealing cars, but most are for burglary and theft. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man was charged with hijacking a car and abducting a five-month-old baby girl who was in the vehicle. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA car was seized with a five-month-old baby girl in the back seat. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mother had just stepped out of the car to take the buggy from the boot. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA five-month-old baby was inside the car when it was hijacked. (extra.ie)
- whatA man has been charged with hijacking a vehicle while a 5-month-old baby girl was inside. (gript.ie)
- whatThe baby's mother was removing a buggy from the boot when the vehicle was taken. (gript.ie)
- whatNoel Ryan, 47, was charged with abduction and car hijacking. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA five-month-old baby girl was in the vehicle when it was taken. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe child was left alone in the car for approximately three hours. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mother was dragged as Ryan drove off and was holding onto the car door. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRyan had used a credit card belonging to the mother and was identified from shop CCTV. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn his sixth interview, Ryan admitted he did not know there was a child in the car and went to Clarence Street to get a friend to ring the gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNoel Ryan, 48, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of hijacking a vehicle and one count of abduction of a child. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe mother was setting up her child buggy at the boot of her car when she heard the car door close. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatCCTV footage showed the woman holding onto the car door as Ryan drove off and she was dragged until she could no longer hold on. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatRyan used the mother's credit card in a shop nearby 12 minutes after the car was taken. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe hijacking took place in Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. (garda.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was last seen in the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin City Centre. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car was taken from the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin city. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe baby was in the back of a Nissan Qashqai on Mountjoy Square. (rte.ie)
- whereThe hijacking took place in the Gardiner Street area. (gript.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was understood to have driven off towards Dorset Street. (gript.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was last seen in the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin City Centre at about 1.50pm. (gript.ie)
- whereThe car was taken from Mountjoy Square in Dublin 1. (kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe last sighting of the vehicle was in the Mountjoy Square area. (kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car theft took place in Dublin. (gript.ie)
- whereThe car was stolen from Mountjoy Square West, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car was found parked on North Richmond Street, Dublin 1, with the child still inside. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car was hijacked in central Dublin on Monday afternoon with the baby in the back. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe baby was located safe and well in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car was last seen in the Mountjoy Square area. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe car and the toddler were found on North Richmod Street. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe car was discovered on North Richmond Street by Gardaí on patrol (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe car was stolen from Mountjoy Square in Dublin. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe car was a Nissan Qashqai parked on Mountjoy Square. (rte.ie)
- whereThe car was driven down Mountjoy Square and on to Dorset Street. (rte.ie)
- whereThe man was being detained at a garda station in north Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whereThe baby was in a silver Nissan Qashqai parked on Mountjoy Square in Dublin 1. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe girl was found safe and well in Dublin city centre. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred in Mountjoy Square in Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car, with the child still in it, was found parked on North Richmond Street, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe suspect was detained at a Garda station in North Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car was hijacked at Mountjoy Square West, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car was dumped on Richmond Street North, around 600 metres from where it was stolen. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe suspect is from central Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at Mountjoy Square West. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Mountjoy Square West, Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe vehicle was taken from the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin. (gript.ie)
- whereThe car was seized at Mountjoy Square West while the mother was taking a buggy out of the boot. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Mountjoy Square in north Dublin city. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened at Mountjoy Square, north inner city Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe hijacking happened on Monday afternoon, 23 September 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe hijacking took place on Monday afternoon, 23 September 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was last seen at about 1:50pm on 23 September 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe alert was issued on 23 September 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on the afternoon of 23 September 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- whenA man drove off with the child at around 1.50pm after the mother stepped out of the car. (rte.ie)
- whenThe baby girl was recovered at around 4.05pm. (rte.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was last seen at about 1:50pm on Monday afternoon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe hijacking happened at about 1.50pm. (gript.ie)
- whenThe hijacking was reported to gardaí at about 1:50pm. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe article is dated 23 September 2024. (gript.ie)
- whenThe car was stolen at about 1.50pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident started at around 1.50pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí received a report of the hijacking at about 1:50pm on 23 September. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe hijacking happened on Monday afternoon in central Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe carjacking occurred at approximately 1:50 pm on 23 September 2024 (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe alarm was raised shortly before 2pm on Monday. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe hijacking happened on the afternoon before the article was published. (rte.ie)
- whenThe car was taken at around 1.50pm. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe car was stolen at around 1:50pm on Monday afternoon. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe hijacking occurred on Monday afternoon, 23 September 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Monday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe car was stolen from Mountjoy Square West at about 1.50pm on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred around 1:50 pm on Monday, 23 September 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe baby was in the car on Monday afternoon. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe car was taken at around 1.50pm with the infant still inside. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Monday afternoon, 23 September 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe hijacking happened at about 1:50pm on the Monday before the article. (gript.ie)
- whenThe offences are alleged to have happened at Mountjoy Square West on September 23. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 23 September 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe car was taken at 1:45 pm. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe car was located by gardaí at 4 pm, approximately three hours after it was taken. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeGardaí believe the offence was opportunistic and that the man stole the car. (rte.ie)
- causeGardaí said the theft appeared to be opportunistic. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe mother stepped out of the car briefly and the man took his chance. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe mother stepped out of the car for a brief moment and the man took his chance. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeGardaí believe the thief abandoned the car about 600 metres from where he took it after realising the child was inside. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA man was arrested on Tuesday evening as part of the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationMembers of the public are asked not to approach the vehicle and to report any information or sighting by calling 999/112. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí set up an incident room at Mountjoy Garda station and are reviewing CCTV footage. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe car was recovered shortly after on North Richmond Street by a foot patrol. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued a child rescue alert just before 4pm. (rte.ie)
- investigationA major garda search operation, including the garda helicopter, was put in place. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe Nissan Qashqai was recovered on North Richmond Street by gardaí on patrol. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are looking for the suspect and have made no arrests. (rte.ie)
- investigationAnyone who witnessed the car being stolen is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí urgently requested public assistance in locating the vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses. (gript.ie)
- investigationMembers of the public are asked not to approach the vehicle and to report any sighting by calling 999 or 112. (gript.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued a rare CRI Alert, citing serious concerns about an immediate and serious risk to Daisy's welfare. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí asked anyone with information to contact them on 999 or 112. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationDaisy Hall was located safe and well in Dublin City Centre. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí describe the suspect as a white middle aged male. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe baby was located safe and well. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThere has been no arrest in the case. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are harvesting CCTV footage in the area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam or other footage from the two locations. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAn incident room has been set up at Mountjoy Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí said there is no known connection between the suspect and the family. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí described the suspect as a white middle-aged male wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí issued a Child Rescue Ireland alert and appealed for help tracing the baby and the vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe the suspect tried to use the woman's bank card in an ATM. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have good quality CCTV of the suspect and believe they have identified him as a criminal in his late 40s. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí at Mountjoy are investigating and have appealed for witnesses. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationSources told the Mirror that officers had identified the prime suspect. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued a rarely used Child Rescue Ireland alert for the baby. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA Child Rescue Ireland alert was issued at 3:56 pm and stood down at 4:17 pm (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationAn incident room was established at Mountjoy Garda Station (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are harvesting CCTV in the area (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationNo arrest had been made in connection with the incident (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe culprit was still at large. (extra.ie)
- investigationA major garda investigation was launched and a CRI alert was issued at 4pm on Monday. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe car and baby were located a short time later, but the suspected man had not been located. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationAn incident room has been established at Mountjoy Garda Station in Dublin. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí are gathering CCTV footage from the area. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the hijacking. (extra.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued a child rescue alert because they believed the girl was at immediate and serious risk. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe girl was confirmed found safe at 4:17pm, about 21 minutes after the alert was issued. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA man was arrested in connection with the incident and is being held at a Garda station in north Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí examined CCTV footage and appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believed a serial offender with a history of convictions was behind the theft. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigations into the incident are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe suspect could be questioned for up to 24 hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested the accused on the Tuesday and he was held at Mountjoy station. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued an urgent child rescue alert and a public appeal for assistance. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe car, with the child still in it, was found on North Richmond Street, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested the accused on Tuesday and he was held at Mountjoy station. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe incident led to a major Garda alert and a Child Rescue Alert. (gript.ie)
- investigationGardaí recovered the vehicle around 4pm on the day it was taken, and the baby was found safe and well. (gript.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested the accused and held him at Mountjoy station. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí issued an urgent child rescue alert and a public appeal for help tracing the baby. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAlmost every Garda car in Dublin was on alert and air support was deployed to find the car. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRyan was arrested the following day and interviewed six times in total. (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeGardaí have charged the man. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested for an offence under the Unlawful Seizure of Vehicles provision of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976. (garda.ie)
- chargeNo arrests had been made at the time of the press conference. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested for an offence contrary to the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976, the Unlawful Seizure of Vehicles. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeA man in his 40s was arrested for an offence under the Unlawful Seizure of Vehicles provision of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeNoel Ryan was charged with abduction and car hijacking. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeOne charge was unlawful seizure of the car under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with unlawful seizure of the car under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with taking the baby from lawful control of her parent under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeA man has been charged over the hijacking of a car. (extra.ie)
- chargeRyan is charged with unlawful seizure of a vehicle and abduction of a child. (gript.ie)
- chargeOne charge is unlawful seizure of the car under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe second charge is taking the baby from lawful control of her parent under section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNoel Ryan pleaded guilty to one count of hijacking a vehicle and one count of abduction of a child. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday 26 September 2024 at 4.30pm. (garda.ie)
- courtNoel Ryan appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMr Ryan was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on October 3. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Ryan has not yet indicated a plea. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was charged with abduction and car hijacking. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe remained silent during the proceedings and did not indicate a plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtGardaí objected to bail, but the defence did not make a bail application at this stage. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was granted. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe defence said no bail application would be made for Ryan, who was remanded in custody. (gript.ie)
- courtMr Ryan appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court on Thursday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was remanded in custody to appear on 3 October at Cloverhill District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceRyan was sentenced to seven years in prison backdated to when he went into custody. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of nine and a half years and, after considering a mitigating factor, sentenced Ryan to seven years in prison backdated to when he went into custody. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe man is aged in his 40s and is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in North Dublin. (garda.ie)
- otherThe suspect is described as a white, middle-aged male wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, kildarenow.com)
- otherThe baby was found safe and well after a Child Rescue Alert and has been reunited with her parents. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGardaí say there is no known connection between the suspect and the family. (rte.ie)
- otherThe public were asked not to approach the vehicle and to report any information to 999 or 112. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe vehicle is a silver Nissan Qashqai hatchback with registration number 10-D-21328. (gript.ie)
- otherDaisy was in the car when it was taken. (kildarenow.com)
- otherA baby girl was in the rear of the vehicle when it was stolen. (gript.ie)
- otherThe baby was reunited with her parents shortly after being found. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí found the car and the baby on North Richmond Street within five minutes of the alert. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe baby was safe and was reunited with her mother. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect was described as white, middle aged and wearing a baseball cap. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherGardaí said they had serious concerns that there was an immediate and serious risk to the baby's health or welfare. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe toddler was safe and well and was reunited with her mother. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe suspect is believed to have dumped the car and tried to use the woman's bank card in an ATM. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherGardaí believe the suspect has more than a dozen criminal convictions. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe child was found safe and well and reunited with her parents (corkbeo.ie)
- otherThe suspect is believed to be a petty criminal with more than a dozen criminal convictions and a history of substance abuse (corkbeo.ie)
- otherSeveral of the suspect's convictions are for car-related crimes, most for burglary and theft (corkbeo.ie)
- otherGardaí say there is no known connection between the suspect and the occupants of the car. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe baby was found safe and well. (rte.ie)
- otherThe arrested man is being held at a Garda station in north Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe child was reunited with her parents soon after the car was found. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe baby was not injured and was reunited with her parents. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherNoel Ryan is 47 years old and has no fixed address. (gript.ie)
- otherThe child was not injured and was reunited with her parents. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRyan has 41 previous convictions including for theft, aggravated burglary, road traffic matters and misuse of drugs. (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- otherJudge Nolan said he understood Ryan was in the throes of addiction but that he put himself in that position. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence counsel John Byrne SC said Ryan offered a heartfelt apology and there was no sinister motive. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn his sixth interview, Ryan admitted he did not know there was a child in the car and said he went to Clarence Street to get a friend to ring the gardaí. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherJudge Nolan said the child was left by itself for the guts of three hours and that Ryan was reckless in regard to the child. (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Apr2025Man sentenced to prison for hijacking car with five-month-old baby in back
Sentencing report detailing the incident, the search for the car and baby, Ryan's admissions in interview, and victim impact statements from both parents.
suspect, Noel Ryan, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryanvictim, femalevictim, 5 months - 4 Apr2025Dublin man jailed for seven years for hijacking car with baby inside
Provides full sentencing details including victim impact statements from both parents, CCTV evidence of the mother being dragged, Ryan's 41 previous convictions, the search and recovery of the car in an alley, Ryan's admission in his sixth interview, and Judge Martin Nolan's comments on the case.
victim, 5 monthsvictim, femalevictim, maleconvicted, Noel Ryan, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryan - 26 Sep2024Man charged over hijacking car with baby girl inside in Dublin
First report of the charges against Noel Ryan, his court appearance and remand in custody, and the recovery of the car and the child.
accused, Noel Ryan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryanvictim, 5 months, femalevictim, female - 26 Sep2024Man charged with hijacking car with baby girl inside appears before the courts - Gript
Reports the charges of unlawful seizure of a vehicle and abduction of a child, the court appearance, and that Ryan was remanded in custody at Cloverhill District Court with no bail application made. Also reports that the car was recovered around 4pm the same day with the baby safe and well.
accused, Noel Ryan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryanvictim, 5-month-old, female - 26 Sep2024Man charged over hijacking of car with five-month-old baby inside
Only the headline is available; the article body is template code with no further details.
accused, male - 26 Sep2024Man charged with hijacking car and abduction of five-month-old baby girl inside vehicle
Reports the charging and remand in custody of Noel Ryan at Dublin District Court, with the charges, bail objections and the case's next court date.
accused, Noel Ryan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryanvictim, 5 months, femalevictim, female - 26 Sep2024Man charged with abduction and with hijacking of car with baby inside earlier this week
Reports the charging and remand in custody of Noel Ryan at Dublin District Court on 26 September 2024, with details of the charges, the arrest and the recovery of the car and baby.
accused, Noel Ryan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Ryanvictim, 5 months, female - 25 Sep2024Man arrested in connection with hijacking of car that contained baby girl
Adds details of the arrest, the suspect's background (dozen-plus convictions, heroin and cocaine addiction, from central Dublin), the car's registration, the CRI alert, and that the car was dumped on Richmond Street North about 600 m from the scene.
suspect, 40s, malevictim, 5 months, femalevictim, female - 24 Sep2024Man (40s) arrested in connection with hijacking of car with baby girl inside
Reports the arrest of a man in his 40s, held at a Garda station in north Dublin. Adds that the car was found on North Richmond Street, Dublin 1, with the child still inside, and that gardaí believe the thief abandoned it about 600 metres from where it was taken. The article gives no name and does not say the arrested man was charged.
victim, five months, femalesuspect, 40s, male - 24 Sep2024Man arrested in connection with hijacking of car in Dublin with baby girl inside
Reports the arrest of a man in his 40s, held at a Garda station in north Dublin, and that the baby was found safe about 21 minutes after the child rescue alert.
victim, 5 months, femalesuspect, 40s, male - 24 Sep2024Man, 40s, arrested in connection with hijacking of car with baby girl inside
Article gives only the headline; the body is unrendered template code with no further details.
suspect, 40s, male - 24 Sep2024Man arrested over hijacking of car with baby girl inside
First report of the arrest. The article gives the arrest, the man's age range, his detention location, and the search for the baby.
suspect, 40s, malevictim, 5 months, female - 24 Sep2024ALERT: Garda manhunt continuing following theft of car in Dublin with baby girl inside
Reports that the car and baby were located a short time after the theft, that the suspect has not been found, and gives a description of the suspect (white, middle-aged male, dark clothing, baseball cap). It also reports that an incident room was set up at Mountjoy Garda Station and that CCTV is being gathered. No arrest is reported.
victim, five months, femalesuspect, male - 24 Sep2024Infant recovered by gardaí but culprit still at large
The article body is empty; only the headline and page template code were provided. The headline reports the infant was recovered and the culprit remained at large, which fits the Mountjoy Square baby hijacking case (15988), though the article gives no location or date.
victimsuspect - 23 Sep2024Gardaí close in on suspect as baby is reunited with parents following carjacking
Initial same-day report of the carjacking; CRI alert issued and stood down, baby found safe, suspect described as middle-aged man with criminal history, no arrests made, CCTV being harvested.
victim, Daisy Hall, 5 months, female, irish (judged from name)Daisy Hallsuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Gardai close in on suspect after terrifying car 'hijack' with baby girl inside
Pre-charge report: describes the Mountjoy Square car hijacking, the CRI alert, the car and child being found, and a suspect description (white, middle aged, baseball cap, late 40s, more than a dozen convictions). No name is given and no arrest is reported yet.
victim, femalesuspect, late 40s, male - 23 Sep2024Gardai confirm baby safe after hijacked car incident - live updates
Live report on the hijacking and the baby's recovery. It gives the vehicle details and the timing of the report, and says Gardaí had identified a prime suspect, but it does not name or arrest anyone.
victim, 5 months, femalesuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Gardai close in on suspect after terrifying car 'hijack' with baby girl inside
Early report of the incident before any arrest or charge. The suspect is not named and is described only as a middle-aged man in his late 40s. The baby was found safe, and gardaí were investigating a suspect identified from CCTV.
victim, femalevictimsuspect, late 40s, male - 23 Sep2024Gardaí searching for suspect after car with five-month old baby in it hijacked in Dublin
Original report of the hijacking before any arrest. Gardaí had no arrest, described the suspect only as a white middle-aged male in dark clothing and a baseball cap, said the theft appeared opportunistic, and appealed for CCTV and dashcam footage. The baby was found safe and well.
victim, 5 months, femalesuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Gardaí appeal for witnesses to car theft after Child Rescue Alert called off - Gript
Gript reports a Garda appeal for witnesses after the Child Rescue Alert was called off, and gives a description of the suspect as a white middle aged male. It does not report an arrest or charge.
victim, femalesuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Urgent Garda alert as car is hijacked with five-month-old baby inside
Early report of the hijacking and the garda CRI Alert issued the same day, before the child was found safe; it adds the vehicle details, the appeal and the update that Daisy was located.
victim, Daisy Hall, 5 months, female, irish (judged from name)Daisy Hallsuspect, male - 23 Sep2024MAJOR Garda alert after car with baby on board hijacked in Dublin. - Gript
Adds the hijacking details: the car's location and last sighting, the description of the man, the vehicle's make and registration, and the Garda appeal. No arrest or charge is reported.
victim, 5 months, femalevictimsuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Gardai issue appeal for information on missing Silver Nissan Qashqai Hatchback
Adds the vehicle description and registration number (10-D-21328), the last-seen time and location, and a public appeal. The vehicle and location match the existing case 5064 (Mountjoy Square West car hijacking with a baby inside, 23 September 2024). The article does not mention a baby, abduction or a charge.
- 23 Sep2024CRI alert cancelled after baby girl found safe and well
Original report. The baby was found safe at about 4.05pm and the car was recovered on North Richmond Street. No arrests had been made.
victim, 5 months, femalesuspect, male - 23 Sep2024Gardaí searching for man in relation to hijacking of car that had five-month old baby in backseat
Original report of the hijacking. Gardaí are searching for a suspect, no arrests have been made, the car was recovered and the baby was found safe and well.
suspect, malevictim, 5 months, female - 23 Sep2024Garda Alert, Dublin 23rd September 2024
Garda alert appealing for information on the missing vehicle. It gives the make, model, registration and last-seen location and time, but does not mention a baby, a hijacking or any charge.
- 23 Sep2024Arrest: Hijacking of a Vehicle, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, 23rd September 2024
Garda press release reporting that a man in his 40s was arrested this evening for an offence under the Unlawful Seizure of Vehicles provision and is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in North Dublin. Investigations are ongoing.
suspect, 40s, male - 23 Sep2024Court Appearance: Hijacking of a Vehicle, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, 23rd September 2024
Garda press release confirming a man in his 40s has been charged and is due at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 26 September 2024. It does not name him or mention a baby in the vehicle.
accused, 40s, male