Leaving Cert student jailed for stealing car

A LEAVING Cert student, jailed yesterday for stealing a car and driving it while drunk, was told he was lucky not to be before the court for killing someone.

Eddie Murphy, 18, of 57 Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, is to appeal the three-month jail term imposed on him at Cork District Court.

The teenager, also charged with not having insurance, was disqualified from driving by Judge Uinsin MacGruairc for six years.

Murphy, with seven previous convictions, had previously received a four-month suspended jail sentence for stealing a car in May 2006.

Last Sunday, March 23, the 1994-registered black Opel Corsa was stolen in the Ballintemple area of Cork and was later seen being driven around in Courtown Drive in Knocknaheeny, Cork.

Garda Alan Cassidy observed the driver and a number of occupants fleeing from the car and running away from the scene.

Gda Cassidy ran after the driver, Eddie Murphy. The guard caught and arrested Murphy.

Judge MacGruairc noted from the evidence that Murphy was intoxicated at the time of his arrest and refused to give a sample to the designated doctor in Gurranabraher Garda Station.