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. 1435Dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, failure to produce documents, failure to produce information · Co. Dublin · 12 Apr 2021

Myles Smith's dangerous driving conviction quashed after appeals court views Snapchat video

A car was observed by Garda Andrew Burlingham driving erratically in the Blanchardstown area on 12 April 2021, including changing lanes without indicating, ignoring a red light, and driving the wrong way around a roundabout, before being abandoned on Aldemere Drive in Clonsilla. Myles Smith, 22, was charged with dangerous driving and related offences and, after pleading not guilty in the District Court, was convicted and fined €1,150 with two-year driving disqualifications. At the District Court Appeals Court in June 2025, his conviction was quashed after the court viewed a Snapchat video showing him in the passenger seat during the pursuit. The judge found there was no satisfactory evidence that Smith was the owner or driver of the car.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted27 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Garda Andrew Burlingham observed a car changing lanes without indicating, crossing over another vehicle, driving at high speed, going over speed bumps, ignoring a red light, and driving the wrong way around a roundabout.
  • The car was abandoned on Aldemere Drive in Clonsilla after mounting a green area in an estate.
Where
The incident occurred in the Blanchardstown area, Dublin, and the car was abandoned on Aldemere Drive, Clonsilla.
When
The incident occurred on 12 April 2021 at about 9pm.
Charges
Myles Smith, 22, was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, two counts of failure to produce documents, and failure to produce information.
In court
  • Smith pleaded not guilty in the District Court and was convicted, receiving fines totalling €1,150 and two-year driving disqualifications for dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
  • At the District Court Appeals Court in June 2025, the judge quashed the conviction, finding no satisfactory evidence that Smith was the owner or driver of the car.
Investigation
Defence presented a Snapchat video taken by Smith during the pursuit showing him in the passenger seat, with flashing Garda lights visible through the rear window and wing mirrors.
Other details
DPP barrister Clare Barry said she believed the second video presented as evidence had been edited.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGarda Burlingham observed a car changing lanes without indicating and crossing over another vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe car failed to indicate and turned back into Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe vehicle failed to stop and was driving at high speed, forcing other road users to take evasive action. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe car was driving over speed bumps, ignoring a red light, and driving the wrong way around a roundabout. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDefence presented a Snapchat video taken by Smith during the pursuit showing him in the passenger seat. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe video showed Smith sitting in the car with flashing Garda lights visible through the rear window and wing mirrors. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDPP barrister Clare Barry said she believed the second video had been edited. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSmith lives at Mount Symon Lawn, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe car was abandoned on Aldemere Drive in Clonsilla after mounting a green area in an estate. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 12 April 2021 at about 9pm in the Blanchardstown area. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeSmith pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, driving with no insurance, driving without a licence, two counts of failure to produce documents, and failure to produce information. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMyles Smith had his dangerous driving conviction quashed at the District Court Appeals Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge found there was no satisfactory evidence that Smith was the owner or driver of the car. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe conviction appeal was allowed. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceSmith originally received fines totalling €1,150, a two-year driving disqualification for dangerous driving, and a two-year disqualification for driving without insurance. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jun2025
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man’s dangerous driving conviction overturned after court views Snapchat video

    Reports the District Court Appeals Court quashing Smith's conviction after viewing Snapchat video evidence showing him in the passenger seat during the pursuit.

    accused, Myles Smith, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Myles Smith