Navan man jailed for ‘absolutely terrifying’ carjacking ordeal

A NAVAN man who crashed a hijacked car before trying to steal another one from a couple trying to assist him was sentenced to four years in prison.

Martin Reilly (34), from Tailteann Drive, Navan was in Trim Circuit Court on 29th January charged with seizing control of two vehicles by threat or force and dangerous driving.

Detective Garda Jacqui O’Hanlon told the court that on 14th February last year at Kilcairn, Navan, a woman was waiting in her car at the bus stop.

A male, later identified as Martin Reilly wearing a mask entered from the passenger door. The injured party said he had a syringe in his hand which was never recovered. She said in her statement the man attempted to stab her with the syringe and when she opened the car door and got out he grabbed her leg. She threw herself onto the ground and Mr Reilly closed the door and drove away from the scene.

Gardaí were made aware of the incident and patrols were put in place to locate the car before gardai received a report of a car matching the description spotted in Garlow Cross crashed into a ditch.

Det Garda O’Hanlon told the court a man at the scene told gardaí as he was driving with his girlfriend he noticed a car overtaking him at speed and was continuously driving on the wrong side of the road. As it approached a sharp bend it crashed into a hedge and the man got out his car to help the driver, Mr Reilly who was disorientated and covered in blood.

While he was trying to calm the accused down, and his girlfriend was in his car ringing emergency services, Mr Reilly made his way towards the man’s car and entered from the driver’s side. He revved the engine and tried to release the handbrake to drive off but the woman in the car put her body on the handbrake to stop him. The other man opened the door, took the car keys out, and pulled Mr Reilly out of the car. He subdued Mr Reilly but let the accused go as he didn’t know if he had a weapon on him. The accused ran away to nearby fields and after a search by gardaí he was found nearby, injured and disorientated in the middle of farmland.

He was brought to James Connolly Hospital but, after receiving treatment, fled the hospital. After CCTV footage and statements were taken Gardaí attended Tailteann Drive, Navan, and located the accused in a caravan with his girlfriend. He was arrested and detained at Navan Garda station where he made no admissions during interview but pleaded guilty when he was charged in court.

The injured party from the first hijacking incident said in her victim impact statement “my life changed in seconds” and felt invaded and vulnerable during what she called the longest seconds of her life. The court heard the shock is still there when in dark places, her sleep was disturbed for a long time, she suffers from high blood pressure, and even now she can’t go back to the same place because of her anxiety. She has taken time off work and has done counselling as she can’t focus. “I feel it is something I will never forget”.

The court heard from the couple’s victim impact statements. They were on their way to a Valentine's Day dinner when the incident occurred.

The court heard the man’s car and clothes were “destroyed in blood” with blood seeping from the car seams and inside doors.

According to the victim impact statement of the woman involved in the second hijacking, she said it was an extremely scary situation and she doesn’t feel as safe when out and is much more wary of others.

The court heard said she doesn’t think she will stop at the side of the road to help people again and she doesn’t understand why he caused so much harm to others and himself.

Mr Reilly has 163 previous convictions and is already in custody until 3rd May 2027 on a charge of affray, several thefts, and drugs possession dating back from 25th February last year. He was on bail for these offences awaiting sentence when the hijackings occurred. Most of his other convictions are for theft and driving incidents but also includes some for possession of articles.

Defending Barrister James O’Brien told the court: “This is Mr Reilly’s life” as he explained how the accused was addicted to heroin at the time. He was released from prison in 2024 after being in custody for several years and he was clean of drugs and stayed out of trouble for a short period before reoffending. The court heard the accused was also the victim of a serious assault that he is fortunate to have survived and suffers post traumatic stress from this incident.

Judge John Martin said the incidents may have been caused by drugs but “you have little if any regard for law and order” and others.

Judge Martin said to the accused “drugs got the better of you” and noted Mr Reilly’s previous efforts at rehabilitation during his previous time in custody. He also said Mr Reilly already has a number of previous convictions and this offence was committed while on bail awaiting sentencing on another matter.

The judge said it was “absolutely terrifying” for the woman who saw a man enter her car with a mask and what she thought was a syringe. He also said that after the man acted the good Samaritan and checked on the accused “you turned and jumped in his car” and it was lucky that the couple involved had the presence of mind to protect the car.

BL O’Brien asked the court to give Mr Reilly a structured environment to assist him getting off his drug addiction. He told the court the accused has two kids and has spent a considerable amount of his young life in prison but will spend the rest of his life in prison if he can’t deal with these problems. He told the court with the right structure the accused “can live an offence free lifestyle”.

Mr Reilly was given a four year prison sentence starting on 3rd May 2027. The accused was also given two additional years suspended on the basis that while in prison and after his release the accused is under probation services and enters a peace bond.

He was also disqualified from driving for ten years.