Ireland Teenager jailed for four years over fatal M8 crash in Co Cork
On 1 July 2023 a 17-year-old male driver crashed a stolen car head-on into another car on the M8 at Ballybeg, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, after driving the wrong way down the motorway. His passenger, Johnny Foley, 16, of Spur Hill in Togher, Cork, was killed, and Roisin Stakelum, a mental health occupational therapist driving the other car, was seriously injured; two other teenage boys and a teenage girl in the stolen car were also injured. The 17-year-old pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a series of charges, including dangerous driving causing death and endangerment. On 12 February 2024 Judge Helen Boyle jailed him for four years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 17-year-old male driver crashed a stolen car while driving the wrong way down a Co Cork motorway.
- The crash killed his passenger, Johnny Foley, 16, of Spur Hill in Togher, Cork.
- Roisin Stakelum, a mental health occupational therapist, was seriously injured when the stolen car collided head-on with her car.
- Where
- The fatal crash happened on the M8 at Ballybeg, Mitchelstown, Co Cork.
- When
- The crash happened on July 1st, 2023.
- Sources say the five teenagers arrived in Glanworth village shortly before midnight on June 30th, 2023, in a stolen Toyota.
- Cause
- Sources say the driver went around two roundabouts the wrong way at high speed before joining the M8.
- Sources say the driver drove south in the northbound lane of the M8 for more than 6km at over 170km/h.
- Other details
- Two other teenage boys and a teenage girl in the car were injured.
- Charges
- The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Foley.
- The 17-year-old also pleaded guilty to endangerment, as other motorists had to take evasive action.
- In court
- The case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Helen Boyle.
- Sentence
- On 12 February 2024 the youth was jailed for four years, or detained for four years as the judge ruled.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA teenager drove a stolen car the wrong way down a Co Cork motorway, killing his passenger. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRoisin Stakelum was seriously injured when the stolen car collided head-on with her car. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fatal crash happened on the M8 at Ballybeg, Mitchelstown, on July 1st, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe five juveniles arrived in Glanworth village shortly before midnight on June 30th, 2023, in a stolen Toyota. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe driver avoided arrest by going around two roundabouts the wrong way at high speed. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe driver went onto the M8 and drove south in the northbound lane for more than 6km at over 170km/h. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Foley. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe 17-year-old also pleaded guilty to a count of endangerment, where other motorists had to take evasive action. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Helen Boyle. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe youth was jailed for four years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Boyle ruled that the youth be detained for four years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo other teenage boys and a teenage girl in the car were injured. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Feb2024Teenager who drove wrong way up M8 and caused fatal crash jailed for four years
Reports the sentencing of the 17-year-old: four years' detention, the guilty pleas, the victims' accounts and the sequence of events from Glanworth to the M8 crash.
convicted, 17, malevictim, Johnny Foley, 16, male, irish (judged from name)Johnny Foleyvictim, Roisin Stakelum, female, irish (judged from name)Roisin Stakelumvictim, malevictim, malevictim, female