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. 8380Motor theft and dangerous driving · Co. Dublin

Teen accused of stealing car and dangerous driving in Dublin granted bail

On 19 September 2026 a 16-year-old boy allegedly drove a Toyota Aqua, reportedly stolen in Wexford on 18 September, against traffic on the Naas Road in Dublin for 1.6 km while fleeing gardaí. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday after a short foot pursuit and charged with motor theft and two counts of dangerous driving. On Monday 21 September 2026 he appeared unrepresented at Dublin Children's Court, was granted bail with a curfew and other conditions, and has yet to enter a plea. He was remanded to the following week for a compliance check, and the DPP must still decide on further charges, which will determine whether the case stays in the Children's Court or goes to the Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 16-year-old boy allegedly drove a stolen car against traffic and onto the wrong side of the Naas Road for 1.6 km after a pursuit by gardaí.
  • The car allegedly broke two sets of red lights and crossed multiple traffic lanes and a Luas track.
Where
The Toyota Aqua was allegedly stolen in Wexford.
When
  • The Toyota Aqua was allegedly stolen on 18 September.
  • The teen was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, 19 September, following the traffic pursuit.
Investigation
  • The car was driven through south Dublin despite a stinger device that burst several tyres.
  • The teen was allegedly the driver and was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
Charges
The teen was charged with motor theft and two counts of dangerous driving.
In court
  • The teen appeared at Dublin Children's Court on Monday, 21 September 2026, unrepresented due to the ongoing dispute over legal aid reforms.
  • The teen was granted bail with a curfew and other conditions.
  • The DPP must give directions on further charges, which will determine whether the case stays in the Children's Court or goes to the Circuit Court.
Other details
  • The teen has yet to enter a plea and was remanded to appear the following week for a compliance check.
  • Sources differ on the date: article metadata gives 1 September 2026, while the article text gives a court date of 21 September 2026.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 16-year-old boy drove a stolen car against traffic and onto the wrong side of the Naas Road for 1.6 km after leading gardaí on a pursuit in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe car broke two sets of red lights, crossed multiple traffic lanes and a Luas track. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe teen appeared at Dublin Children's Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe Toyota Aqua was allegedly stolen in Wexford. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe Toyota Aqua was allegedly stolen on 18 September. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe teen was arrested in the early hours of Saturday following a traffic pursuit. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe car was driven through south Dublin despite a stinger device that burst several tyres. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe teen was allegedly the driver and was arrested after a short foot pursuit. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe teen was charged with motor theft and two counts of dangerous driving. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe teen was unrepresented due to the ongoing dispute over legal aid reforms. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe teen was granted bail with a curfew and other conditions. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe DPP must give directions on further charges, which will determine whether the case stays in the Children's Court or goes to the Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe teen has yet to enter a plea and was remanded to appear again the following week for a compliance check. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Sep2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Teen accused of driving stolen car wrong way says he must change, or he'll 'end up in Mountjoy'

    Court appearance on Monday, with the teen charged and granted bail after the weekend arrest. The article states the car was stolen in Wexford on 18 September and that the arrest was in the early hours of Saturday, but does not give the driving date explicitly. Metadata date (1 Sep) conflicts with the article's 21 Sep court date.

    accused, 16, male