Thursday 5 November 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. 25442Theft (of a bus) · Co. Dublin

Teen remanded on bail after guilty plea to bus theft in Dublin

A 17-year-old boy stole a double-decker bus from outside Go Ahead Ireland premises in Ballymount, Dublin, in August 2021. He drove it along Naas Road for about 30 minutes before bringing it back and presenting himself at Ballyfermot Garda station. He was missing from a care unit in Cork at the time. He pleaded guilty to the theft charge at Dublin Children's Court on 7 September 2022, with driving charges dropped. He was remanded on bail pending sentence, with a probation report to be furnished to the court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 17-year-old boy stole a double-decker bus and drove it along Naas Road for about 30 minutes before bringing it back.
  • The boy presented himself at Ballyfermot Garda station after the drive.
Where
The bus was stolen from outside Go Ahead Ireland premises in Ballymount, Dublin.
When
The theft occurred in August 2021.
Other details
  • The boy was missing from a care unit in Cork at the time of the theft.
  • The boy had one prior conviction for stealing a phone from a supermarket in Co Cork.
  • The boy is now in new accommodation in Dublin and seeking to learn a trade.
  • The boy was granted legal aid and told to stay off the buses other than being a passenger.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to the bus theft charge; charges for driving without a licence or insurance were dropped.
In court
  • He appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at Dublin Children's Court on 7 September 2022.
  • The DPP directed the case should not be sent to a higher court and Judge Kelly accepted jurisdiction.
Sentence
He was remanded on bail pending sentence, with sentencing adjourned for a probation report to be furnished.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe drove the bus along Naas Road for about 30 minutes before bringing it back. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe presented himself at Ballyfermot Garda station after the drive. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy stole a double-decker bus and drove it for about 30 minutes. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe boy was 17 years old and missing from a care unit at the time. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe boy presented himself at Ballyfermot Garda station after the drive. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe bus was stolen from outside Go Ahead Ireland premises in Ballymount. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
  • whereThe boy drove the bus along Naas Road. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe theft occurred on a date in August 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe theft took place in August 2021. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to the bus theft charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCharges for driving without a licence or insurance were dropped. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
  • chargeThe boy pleaded guilty to stealing the bus. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at Dublin Children's Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed the case should not be sent to a higher court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Kelly accepted jurisdiction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was remanded on bail pending sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentencing was adjourned for a probation report to be furnished to the court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed the case should not be sent to a higher court and Judge Kelly accepted jurisdiction. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Kelly adjourned sentencing for a probation report to be furnished to the court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe boy was granted legal aid and told to stay off the buses other than being a passenger. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe 17-year-old boy was missing from a care unit at the time of the theft. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe teenager had left his care facility in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe is now in new accommodation in Dublin and seeking to learn a trade. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy had left his care facility in Cork. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe boy had one prior offence for stealing a phone from a supermarket in Co Cork. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe boy said he got a previous conviction for the phone and sold it. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe boy explained he was stuck in Cork and trying to get to Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe boy is now in new accommodation in Dublin and looking to learn a trade. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Sep2022
    In courtrte.ie, its first report
    Teen who stole double decker bus is remanded on bail

    Reports the guilty plea, remand on bail pending sentence, and details of the incident including the boy's background and prior conviction.

    accused, 17, male
  2. 7 Sep2022
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Teen who stole double-decker bus in Dublin pleads guilty

    Reports the guilty plea, dropping of driving charges, DPP direction not to send to a higher court, and remand on bail pending sentence with a probation report to be furnished.

    accused, 17, male