The Circuit Criminal Court has spared young man jail after he drove a stolen vehicle at “huge speeds” around the Rathnew area of Co. Wicklow when he was just 15 years of age.

The man, who cannot be identified as the offending took place when he was a child, appeared before Judge Orla Crowe at this afternoon to hear his sentence in relation to the incident which took place in 2023.

The incident took place on the 24th of August of that year while the accused was on bail in respect of other matters.

Although he had no convictions at the time of the offence, he has since received 21 convictions relating to matters which took place before the offence, and has no subsequent convictions.

The accused was not charged in relation to the theft of the Toyota vehicle, but was charged with criminal after his “really dangerous” driving caused 15,000 worth of damage to the vehicle.

He also caused 5,200 of damage to a Garda vehicle as well as causing a female officer to suffer two broken bones in her hand during the incident which included a high speed chase with Gardaí.

During the course of the dangerous driving the Toyota was driven at “huge speeds” the wrong way up and down slip roads, and spun around, Just Crowe stated in her sentencing remarks.

The injured Garda was out of work for a significant period, and the youth himself was conveyed to hospital after cutting his forehead on the windscreen of the car.

The court expressed its shock at the manner of the youth’s “endangering, dangerous driving” saying that Gardaí were “literally putting their own lives at risk for the benefit of the public” on this, as well as other occasions. 

She said that on the night the accused, who spent a significant amount of time in state care, was “engaging in very very dangerous behaviour” and that it was a matter of good fortune that “there were not more serious consequences towards human life” at the time.

The court took into consideration a number of reports compiled in respect of the accused including a psychological report and a letter of apology, noting that he “grew up in very difficult circumstances” whereby his “primary carers had significant addiction issues”.

The accused has “limited education” but has completed a court equivalent to a junior certificate, Judge Crowe said.

A probation report placed the accused at high risk of reoffending, however Judge Crowe noted that he has “kept faith with the courts” in dealing with the probation services.

She said that she would “give him a chance” before sentencing him to 18 months each for four separate counts on the indictment before suspending these in full on condition that he keep the peace, engage with the probation services for one year, and enter into a cashless bond.

The accused also suspended the accused from driving.