Judge blasts Dublin man's 'utter disregard for law and order' during car theft 'spree'

A Trim Court judge said a 26 year old man was “in the midst of a spree” when he was spotted driving two different stolen vehicles and having tools used in burgling cars.

Dylan Keeley of Harelawn Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin, was in Trim Circuit Court charged with the unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, possession of articles and stolen property, and driving without a licence or insurance. Mr Keeley pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to three years in prison backdated to when he entered into custody with an additional six months suspended.

Garda Jennifer Finnegal told the court in the early morning of 24th May last year at Applegreen in Celbridge, Kildare, Mr Keeley was spotted by Gardaí on patrol. When the accused noticed them he went back to a black Volkswagen which gardaí were aware was stolen two days earlier in a burglary.

The accused was instructed to stop by Gardaí but failed to do so. A pursuit began when the accused failed to stop and after he turned off his lights Gardaí lost sight of him.

On the following day at the Johnstown Estate car park, Johnstown, Enfield, Gardaí spotted a vehicle matching the description of a stolen car from Celbridge. CCTV was gathered from the hotel manager showing the accused who checked into the hotel with another female. He was soon spotted getting into the passenger seat of another car with a male and two women which was stopped and searched.

This car was discovered to be stolen and contained fake registration plates. The other vehicle the accused arrived in was also searched and several items were seized including screwdrivers, gloves, a hammer and vice grips. A stolen Hugo Boss wallet, AIB bank card, and drivers licence were also found. The accused was found to have no licence or insurance He was arrested and conveyed to Leixlip Garda station where he maintained no comment during Garda interviews.

The accused has 159 previous convictions with a significant amount taking place while he was a juvenile. This included 13 in the United Kingdom and 16 for unauthorised taking of a vehicle and similar offences. At the time of this offence he was disqualified from driving for 10 years following a dangerous driving conviction in 2021.

Judge John Martin said Mr Keeley’s actions show an utter disregard for law and order as he was “in the midst of a spree” during these incidents.

Defending barrister Nicholas Revilles told the court Mr Keeley is “quite a troubled young man” whose mother died of an overdose when he was 13. His father has been absent from his life and incarcerated and BL Revilles said “essentially he had no adult to guide him through his formative years”. The defending barrister told the court a lot of his offending is rooted in drug abuse.

Following sentencing Mr Keeley asked the court if he could be put into a drug rehabilitation centre. Judge Martin said he does not have the power to do so but probation services can recommend it.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme