A young man took a Bus Éireann vehicle in County Donegal and drove it to Dublin after being informed that another bus was full.
Derek Dunne appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court and entered a plea of guilty, reports Breaking News.
Dunne, from Markievicz House, Dublin, is accused of unlawfully taking possession of and using a mechanically propelled vehicle without the owner’s, Bus Éireann Transport Company, consent or lawful authority on July 10th, 2023, at Bus Éireann Bus Station, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny.
The 24-yr-old appeared before Judge John Aylmer for sentencing following the extraordinary incident in which he drove the €390,000 bus from Letterkenny along the M1 motorway, ultimately abandoning it in Sheriff Street, North Dublin, reports Breaking News.
The court heard that the bus was undamaged and still had the key in the ignition.
Garda Pearse Glynn, led by state barrister Ms Fiona Crawford, BL, described the incident to the court, reports Breaking News.
He explained that gardaí received a call from Bus Éireann on the morning of July 10th, 2023, reporting a missing bus from the Letterkenny Depot, and later learned it had been abandoned in Sheriff Street, Dublin.
Dunne was identified through enquiries, arrested, and interviewed on September 12th, during which he made full admissions, reports Breaking News.
CCTV footage showed a male in a green hoodie arriving in Letterkenny at 10.35pm and waiting until 11.06pm for the bus driver to leave.
At 11.52pm, Dunne was seen entering several parked buses before finally entering the one he would steal, reports Breaking News.
He remained in the driver’s seat for around 45 minutes before switching on the lights and driving the bus away at 12.40am.
When questioned at Pearse Street Garda Station, Dunne told gardaí he had intended to take a later bus home but, being told it was full, decided to take one himself, reports Breaking News.
After traveling 237 kilometres, Dunne left the key in the bus and departed.
His barrister, Mr Daniel Comerford, BL, instructed by solicitor Danica Kinane, said his client had made an extremely foolish, impulsive decision, reports Breaking News.
He added that Dunne had created a significant risk to others but now fully understands this.
Although Dunne has no prior convictions, he is currently on remand for other charges to which he has pleaded guilty, reports Breaking News.
Mr Comerford said Dunne grew up in a family affected by drug issues and lived with his grandparents.
He noted that Dunne had worked in the haulage sector and with heavy goods vehicles, influenced by an uncle in the same industry, reports Breaking News.
The court heard that Dunne does not hold a heavy goods vehicle license, when questioned by Judge John Aylmer.
Mr Comerford said his client regretted taking the bus at that moment, reports Breaking News.
He added that the accused did not fully comprehend the situation but drove the distance out of panic rather than a deliberate disregard for others.
Judge John Aylmer described it as “a very unusual offence”, reports Breaking News.
He detailed the route Dunne took in the stolen bus, which many in court recognised as “a very hazardous route”.
He described the incident as “unusual and rather weird behaviour” and said Dunne had a longstanding fascination with heavy goods vehicles, reports Breaking News.
However, the Judge admitted he was uncertain of the exact motivation, as he did not have a probation report.
He noted the evidence showed no intent to permanently deprive Bus Éireann and that Dunne merely wanted to get back to Dublin, reports Breaking News.
Before hearing mitigation, he stated the offence warranted a two-year prison sentence.
However, he considered Dunne’s previous minor conviction for speeding, his full cooperation with gardaí, and his early plea, which justified reducing the sentence to 18 months, reports Breaking News.
He explained that he would treat the accused as a young man with an unusual fascination with heavy goods vehicles who had acted extraordinarily.
Despite lacking a probation report, Judge Aylmer said he would suspend the 18-month sentence entirely, provided Dunne is under the supervision of the probation services for 18 months upon release from prison, reports Breaking News.
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