Jail for Cork teenager who stole car and nearly hit garda car during high-speed chase

Gardaí also found €1,140 of cannabis herb and Alprazolam tablets with a value of €102in his bedroom and in a shed at his home

19-year-old Cian O’Leary was jailed for seven months. File picture

A teenager sped off from gardaí in a stolen car, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with another garda car and in a follow-up search a stash of drugs was found at his home.

19-year-old Cian O’Leary of Churchfield Terrace, Churchfield, Cork, was jailed for seven months at Cork District Court and banned from driving for four years.

He was accused of being in possession of Alprazolam tablets for sale or supply at his home on February 6, and having cannabis for sale or supply on the same date and place. The drugs were found in his bedroom and in a shed near his home.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed the total jail term of seven months on the accused on the drugs charges and for driving a stolen car and other charges related to that.

Sergeant John Kelleher said: “On February 6, 2022, at 6.20pm Garda Damien Cremin and Garda Peter Kelleher were on patrol on Knocknaheeny Avenue, Cork when they observed a silver Toyota Aqua (16-registered) pull out on to Knocknaheeny Avenue with no lights on. It was dark at the time and lighting in the area was very poor.

“Garda Cremin indicated for it to stop to speak to the driver but it failed to stop and drove at speed on Kilmore Road.

“It was driven towards Tadhg Barry Road and Dave McCarthy Road through a red light at high speed at the junction of Dave McCarthy Road and Harbour View Road.

“The car overtook vehicles at speed on Harbour View Road in to oncoming vehicles. It narrowly avoided a head-on collision with an unmarked patrol vehicle before eventually losing control and colliding with a parked vehicle on Churchfield Hill.

“Cian O’Leary was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The vehicle had been unlawfully taken between February 4 and February 5. He was found in possession of a small quantity of cannabis herb and empty baggies.

“A search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act was executed at his address where €1,140 of cannabis herb and Alprazolam tablets with a value of €102 were found in his bedroom and in a shed at the rear of the premises.” 

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said the defendant was doing very well since he was remanded in prison and had been participating in educational courses. Mr Buttimer also said the teenager had pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.