Saturday 31 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. 20972Theft of motor vehicles; dangerous driving · Co. Limerick · 17 May 2023

Two cars stolen in Limerick and driven recklessly on M7

On the early hours of Wednesday 17 May 2023, a red Mazda Demio and a white Toyota Aqua were stolen in Limerick, from Castletroy and Corbally, and the owners are not named in the reports. Both cars were later seen driving recklessly on the M7 and around Limerick and county, where eyewitnesses said they appeared to be racing, and both stopped at a Castletroy service station at 5:52am to be refuelled without the occupants paying. The Mazda was recovered by gardaí at Deebert Park, Kilmallock, at 11:15am, and the Toyota was found burnt out on a canal bank next to St Mary's Park at 9:30am. As of the report published on 23 May 2023, no suspects, arrests or charges had been reported, and gardaí at Henry Street Garda Station were appealing for information.

  1. Reported23 May
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí in Limerick are investigating the theft of two cars that were later seen racing each other on the M7 motorway.
Where
  • The red Mazda Demio, registration 132D, was stolen from The Conifers, Briarfield, Castletroy.
  • The white Toyota Aqua, registration 162L, was stolen from Riverbrook Close, Shannon Banks, Corbally.
When
Both cars were stolen in the early hours of Wednesday 17 May 2023, between midnight and 5am.
Other details
  • Both cars were seen driving recklessly on the M7 from Birdhill towards Limerick at 7:45am, and eyewitnesses said they appeared to be racing.
  • The white Toyota was seen driving dangerously around the green at Garryowen at 9am, and the red Mazda was seen driving dangerously between Bruff and Kilmallock at 9:15am.
  • Both cars stopped at a Castletroy service station at 5:52am and were refuelled with petrol, and the occupants did not pay.
  • As of the report published on 23 May 2023, no suspects, arrests or charges had been reported.
Investigation
  • The red Mazda was recovered by gardaí at Deebert Park, Kilmallock, at 11:15am.
  • The white Toyota was later found burnt out on the canal bank adjacent to St Mary's Park at 9:30am.
  • Gardaí say both crimes appear to be linked.
  • Gardaí at Henry Street Garda Station are asking anyone who saw either car on the Wednesday morning of the thefts to contact them.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí are investigating the theft of two cars that were later seen racing each other on the M7 motorway. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe red Mazda Demio was stolen from The Conifers, Briarfield, Castletroy. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe white Toyota Aqua was stolen from Riverbrook Close, Shannon Banks in Corbally. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenBoth cars were stolen in the early hours of Wednesday 17 May 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe red Mazda was recovered by gardaí at Deebert Park, Kilmallock, at 11:15am. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe white Toyota Aqua was later found burnt out on the canal bank adjacent to St Mary's Park at 9:30am. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say both crimes appear to be linked. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí at Henry Street Garda Station are asking anyone who saw either car last Wednesday morning to contact them. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherBoth cars stopped and were refuelled with petrol at a Castletroy service station at 5:52am, and the occupants did not pay. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherBoth cars were seen driving recklessly on the M7 from Birdhill towards Limerick at 7:45am. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherEyewitnesses noticed that the cars appeared to be racing each other. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe red Mazda was seen driving dangerously between Bruff and Kilmallock at 9:15am. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe white Toyota Aqua was seen driving dangerously around the green at Garryowen at 9am. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2023
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Gardai investigating theft of two cars seen 'racing' on Limerick motorway

    Original report of the theft of two cars and their subsequent dangerous driving, with gardaí appealing for information. No suspects, arrests or charges are reported.