Suspended sentence for teen joyrider who crashed into priest

A teenage joyrider, who ploughed into a priest and inflicted serious injuries, has been given a 12-month suspended sentence and a seven-year road ban.

Fr Liam McClarey was hospitalised and unable to perform parish duties after the teen car thief, who had been on bail, crashed into him, the Dublin Children's Court was told on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty earlier this year to theft of a ’03-reg car and dangerous driving in connection with the incident at Blanchardstown Road North on November 8th last year.

Garda Brian Masterson said a woman’s Honda car had been stolen in Hartstown in Dublin 15. Just after 11.30pm, gardaí on patrol saw the stolen car driven at speed by the accused on the N3 in Dublin. The teenager broke red lights and collided with a Volkswagen Golf driven by Fr McClarey (57), of Corduff Parochial House.

Garda Masterson said the youth “ran from the car but was arrested close by”, while Fr McClarey was taken to hospital. The court heard he suffered broken ankles and a hairline fracture to his knee. He spent six weeks in hospital and is still not fully recovered.

The teenager, who is now in employment, had been included in a scheme in which he had been given increased bail support to provide him with help over the past eight months, the court heard. He had complied with the programme and attended appointments with the Probation Service.

He also admitted stealing a car in the early hours of March 17th last year and six counts of dangerous driving, as well as not having a licence or motor insurance.

Judge John O’Connor imposed a 12-month sentence which was suspended on condition the youth does not re-offend in the next year. He was also banned from driving for seven years.