'Lookout' man avoids jail for his part in theft of truck that crashed into Cork house 18 years ago

The crime occurred at around 1.30am on April 26, 2003, when Derek Landers and two accomplices were involved in the theft of a DAF truck with heavy machinery on the back of it from Ballyvolane Commercial Park

Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan said the reason for the delay in the case coming before the court was that the accused left the jurisdiction and a European arrest warrant had to be issued. Picture: iStock

A stolen truck was abandoned without the handbrake being applied and it rolled down a hill into the gable end of a house – and while two of those involved in the crime disappeared, the young lookout man returned to ask gardaí if anyone was injured.

An unusual feature of the case was that the crime was committed 18 years ago and that the young man – Derek Landers – later fled Ireland and has only now returned to be sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.