Pedestrians ran for cover as man fleeing gardaí sped through village

A young Dublin man who caused pedestrians to run for cover when he sped through a village while evading gardaí has had his sentence adjourned for one year.

Sergeant Stephen Byrne revealed that members of the public ran for cover as the car driven by Dean Craig (21) hit a speed ramp and elevated into the air along the busy village main street.

The sergeant told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that he had responded to a call about burglaries in a nearby housing estate and spotted Craig and two other males in a car.

Craig then led gardaí on a high speed chase before abandoning his car with the two passengers and fleeing on foot. Craig, of Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Court to endangerment at Main Street, Ongar, Dublin 15, on March 2, 2016.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing stolen PlayStation games, games console and controllers, a glass jar of cash, an Apple iPod, a safe containing cash, an imitation revolver and passports at Manorfields Drive, Dublin 15.

He further pleaded guilty to possessing a balaclava, box cutter knife, screwdriver and torch with intent at Manorfields Drive, all on the same date.

The court heard he has eight previous convictions, including three thefts and road traffic matters all dating from 2016.

Today, Judge Melanie Greally imposed 240 hours of community service on Craig in lieu of two and a half years in prison for possessing the stolen goods.

She adjourned his sentence for endangerment and possessing the other items for 12 months so that he can engage with the Probation Service.

Judge Greally said his sentence would depend on him undertaking offence and victim-focused work, education, training and employment services and breaking associations with negative peers. She remanded him on continuing bail till February next year.

Earlier, Sgt Byrne told Ms Stuart that two Manorfields Drive residents had to come home from work when they were alerted to break-ins at their homes.

In one premises, €1,140 worth of items had been stolen and €200 damage done to a door. A second resident told gardaí that €900 of personal belongings had been stolen and €800 damage done.

The court heard all of these goods were returned to the owners after a search of Craig's vehicle. Sgt Byrne said this car search also yielded the box cutter, balaclava, torch and screwdriver.

The sergeant told Ms Stuart that he had a clear view of Craig in the driver seat when he arrived at Manorfields Drive on foot of the burglary alert.

He said in the ensuing chase, Craig almost lost control of his vehicle at roundabouts and junctions and that oncoming traffic had to brake or veer into grass to avoid collision.

Sgt Byrne said Craig threw his mobile phone on the ground to break it when he was fleeing the car. Sgt Byrne agreed with Breffni Gordon BL, defending, that all of his client's offending had been “compressed into a fairly refined period of time”.

Mr Gordon submitted to Judge Greally that Craig had left home aged 17 due to his parents' splitting up. Counsel said Craig became “angry and underwent a distinct change in behaviour” at that time.

He said Craig began “couch surfing” with friends and his life was unstable and chaotic at the time.