Prison for Limerick man who got stolen €120k BMW ‘bogged down in a field’
A LIMERICK man who stole a black BMW X7 Sport edition valued at €120,000 on Christmas Eve which he “got bogged down in a field” has been jailed.
Three weeks later the accused was involved in a high-speed pursuit, in a different stolen vehicle, with gardai.
The Armed Support Unit used a stinger to end the chase near the Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
Jeffrey Corr, aged 30, of Ballynaught, Bruree pleaded guilty to two unauthorised takings of vehicles, endangerment - intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another - no insurance and no driving licence.
Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State Solicitor Aidan Judge, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Conor Keane and Detective Garda Christopher Cowan.
Ms Buckley said the owner of the BMW - a luxury SUV - parked the vehicle outside his home in Bruree on December 24, 2022.
The barrister said the following morning the jeep and the key were gone.
“It was located in a field in Bruree. It was stuck in mud. He seems to have gotten bogged down in a field. It is valued at €120,000,” said Ms Buckley.
The court heard that the BMW was not damaged but the key, which is “sophisticated”, was not recovered. Ms Buckley said the cost of a new key, alloy wheels and a rental car while the BMW was being repaired came to €16,048.
On January 16, 2023, the owner of an Audi A4 heard it being started while she was in bed in her home in Dromin.
Garda Keane said that vehicle was involved in a pursuit with gardai.
“It failed to stop for gardai near Croom and was making its way towards Limerick. The driver was wearing a balaclava. The car was weaving from side to side to prevent gardai overtaking and was recklessly overtaking cars.
“He took the exit for Raheen, navigated roundabouts at speed, passed UHL and continued towards the Crescent Shopping Centre. The Armed Support Unit had set up a stinger near McDonald’s and successfully hit the tyres,” said Garda Keane. The garda said Mr Corr ran from the vehicle.
“I ran after him. He went into a garden and climbed another wall before getting stuck in thorns where he was arrested,” said Garda Keane. Mr Corr told gardai during interviews that he had been fighting with his mother and “took a lot of tablets”.
He told them he made the balaclava. The court heard Mr Corr also made admissions regarding the theft of the BMW in Bruree.
Ms Buckley said Mr Corr’s phone was seized and Det Garda Christopher Cowan correlated where Mr Corr drove from Google Maps on the phone and the BMW’s computer. Ms Buckley said Mr Corr drove the BMW into the city and back out to the county
“Ye have my phone. Ye have me bang to rights,” Mr Corr told gardai.
Ms Buckley said Mr Corr has 71 previous convictions including 13 thefts, seven unauthorised taking of a vehicles, seven no insurance and was disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Jack Nicholas, defence barrister, said his client has dyslexia and difficulty with reading and maths.
“He did his Junior Cert before attending Youthreach where he did well. When he became an adult and left Youthreach he developed an addiction to tablets. He wishes me to apologise. He is of the view prison is the best place for him to deal with his issues,” said Mr Nicholas.
Judge Dermot Sheehan said Mr Corr has an “appalling record”. He said during the pursuit by gardai Mr Corr was “weaving and recklessly overtaking vehicles at very high speeds”. The judge said the homemade balaclava showed an element of planning.
Judge Sheehan handed down concurrent two and half year jail sentences on each of the two unauthorised taking of a vehicle charges and one endangerment charge. Concurrent six month sentences for no insurance and no driving licence were imposed.
Mr Corr was disqualified from driving for 25 years. Mr Corr is to be given credit for time served.
from January when he was first remanded in custody.