Ambulance joy-rider jailed

A city centre man who stole a Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance from outside a patient’s home after taking a "cocktail of alcohol and drugs" has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by Judge Martin Nolan.

Wayne Hankey (aged 24), took the ambulance, which had the keys in the ignition and the engine running, from outside an apartment block on Cork Street, Dublin, after the crew had been called to attend an ill woman.

He then drove the vehicle at speed and when later cornered by gardaí, drove it directly at them, forcing them to jump out of the way.

Hankey of Pearse House, who was first convicted for larceny aged 11 years old, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful taking of the ambulance, dangerous driving, endangerment and criminal damage of an Opel Vectra on July 15, 2006.

Ms Caroline Biggs BL, defending, told Judge Nolan that Hankey had slipped into the use of cocaine and ‘ecstasy’ after succumbing to peer pressure and had no recollection of the incident with the ambulance.

"He is shocked and disgusted by his behaviour that night," Ms Biggs said.

Judge Nolan suspended the last six months of the sentence, which is to be served consecutive to a 12 month term Hankey is currently serving. He also disqualified him from driving for two years and one day.

Judge Nolan said that Hankey should have more insight into his own behaviour at this stage in his life and know that taking drinks and drugs affects his judgement.

"I hope you reflect upon your future," he told Hankey before saying that he was impressed by a letter that he had written for the court. "It seems to express an intelligence," he said.

Garda Rory Heffernan told Ms Geraldine Small BL, prosecuting, that it was standard procedure for Dublin Fire Brigade staff to leave the keys in the ambulance.

He followed the vehicle that Hankey was driving at speed and in an erratic manner before he lost control of it and crashed into a parked Opel Vectra , causing €1,000 worth of damage.

Hankey took off again at speed before turning into an apartment block, ignoring the garda request to pull the ambulance over.

Gda Heffernan said his colleague blocked the entrance and exit to the area with the patrol car but Hankey drove directly at them, forcing them to jump out of the way.

He then slowed down the ambulance and got out but was caught a few minutes later and arrested.

Gda Heffernan said Hankey had 22 previous convictions which dated back to a conviction at the Children Court for larceny when he was 11 years old.

Gda Heffernan agreed with Ms Biggs, that the patient wasn’t affected by Hankey’s crime. A second ambulance arrived almost immediately and she didn’t have a very serious complaint.