High-speed car thief given five-year sentence

A man who drove a stolen car at high speed crashing several times, ramming a garda car and causing serious injury to a taxi driver has been given a five-year sentence.

Desmond Fitzgerald (aged 30) collided with a minibus, which had just dropped off a family, with such force that it spun around leaving the driver with serious head, neck and back injuries.

Fitzgerald, of Grange View Walk, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious injury to Ms Caroline Sweeny at Font Hill Road and reckless driving causing risk of serious harm to others at the Naas Road junction on October 13, 2007.

He also pleaded guilty to a burglary at Larkfield Gardens, Harolds Cross on October 10, 2007.

Ms Caroline Sweeny told Ms Mary Rose Gearty BL, prosecuting, that her taxi was "a write-off" after the crash and that she is out of work without an income. She said she suffers post-traumatic stress and is receiving on going counselling.

Ms Sweeny said the back of her head was "split open" and she suffers severe headaches and problems with her ears. She said a disc was out of place in her back and she suffered whiplash.

She said she only feels safe drive short distances alone as she does feel she can take responsibility for other people in her vehicle.

Judge Katherine Delahunt imposed a five-year sentence with one year suspended and disqualified Fitzgerald from driving for four years.

Sergeant Leo Kiely told Ms Gearty that while on routine patrol he spotted a car which had been stolen the night before. Fitzgerald, who was driving the stolen car, sped off as gardaí approached.

Sgt Kiely said the car approached the junction at the Naas Road at speeds in excess of 110 kms per hour and collided with a car but kept driving. The other driver was shaken but injured.

Fitzgerald rammed a garda car which was driving alongside it on the Naas Road and then took a slip road but changed his mind and drove back up the slip road against the flow of traffic.

He drove back in the direction of Naas through several set of red lights.

Sgt Kiely said a taxi minibus driven by Ms Sweeny was coming onto the Naas Road from St John's Grove after dropping off a family when Fitzgerald's car heavily impacted with it, spinning the minibus around.

Fitzgerald attempted to keep driving but collided with van nearby and was apprehended. He was taken to hospital but discharged himself when gardaí left. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

Ms Sweeny was badly injured and was treated in hospital for injuries to her head, chest, back and neck.

Sgt Kiely said Fitzgerald had 34 previous convictions for offences including burglary, unlawful taking of cars, trespass and possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Mr Luigi Rea BL, defending, said this offence and Fitzgerald's previous convictions were largely drug-related. He said Fitzgerald behaved in an "erratic and irresponsible way" when on drugs and hoped to deal with this problem in custody.

He said Fitzgerald offered his apologies to Ms Sweeny.