150kmph chase teen remanded in custody
A 17-year-old boy arrested for leading gardaí on a 150kmph car chase along the M50 in Dublin, was remanded in custody today at the Children's Court.
The high speed pursuit began after the teenager narrowly missed running over a garda, it is alleged.
The boy replied “that is a load of s***” when he was charged with driving a stolen Mazda 323 and reckless endangerment of life, over the alleged chase, which began in at a car park on the Kylemore Road, in west Dublin, in the early hours of February 24 last.
Outlining the allegations, Garda Gerard Glynn said that he and a colleague signalled the vehicle to stop when they found it in a car park.
The driver halted but revved the engine again and started to speed off as one garda was walking in front of the car.
“He had to jump out of the way for his safety, a pursuit ensued,” said Garda Glynn.
The boy's mother wept in court Judge Ann Ryan heard that the boy allegedly sped along the M50 northbound until he reached the M1, then passed Dublin Airport and took the turn off for Swords.
“He reached speeds of up to 150kmph, conditions were wet and it was raining. At the Swords exit he lost control and collided with a roundabout.”
Judge Ryan held that the case was too serious to be kept in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. She held that it should be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which can, on conviction, impose lengthier sentences.
He was remanded in custody pending a book of evidence.
The judge accepted jurisdiction for one of the teen's other less serious motor theft charges for which a plea has yet to be entered and he will appear again next week.
Garda Amanda Lynch told the court that it was alleged that on October 28 last, the boy was seen pushing a car, in the Ballyfermot area, in west Dublin. He started the engine and “took off at high speed” as gardaí signalled to him to pull over.
Garda Lynch said the teenager drove along Cherry Orchard Drive, “mounted a footpath and drove over a public park, and proceeded down onto another footpath.”
It was alleged the teenager abandoned the car and tried to escape on foot at Croftwood Grove, in Ballyfermot.
