Man Given Suspended Sentence After Stealing Bus Éireann Bus
Derek Dunne, aged 24, stole a Bus Éireann vehicle in County Donegal and drove it to Dublin after being told another bus was full. He appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court, pleaded guilty, and received an 18-month suspended sentence.
Details of the Incident
The theft occurred on July 10th, 2023, at the Bus Éireann Bus Station on Ramelton Road, Letterkenny. Derek Dunne, from Markievicz House, Dublin, unlawfully took the bus and drove it along the M1 motorway before abandoning it on Sheriff Street in Dublin’s north inner city.
The bus, valued at €390,000, was found undamaged with the key still in the ignition.
Court Proceedings
Judge John Aylmer sentenced Dunne after hearing about the event. Garda Pearse Glynn, led by State barrister Fiona Crawford, explained how gardaí received a call reporting the bus missing from the Letterkenny depot on the morning of July 10, 2023. Later, the bus was found abandoned in Sheriff Street, Dublin.
Investigation and Arrest
- Dun was identified through enquiries and arrested on September 12th.
- CCTV footage showed a male wearing a green hoodie arriving in Letterkenny at 10:35 PM.
- The individual waited until 11:06 PM for the bus driver to leave before taking the bus.
Summary
Derek Dunne stole and drove a Bus Éireann bus from Letterkenny to Dublin, was caught based on CCTV evidence, and received a suspended sentence for the incident.
Author's note: This case highlights the swift police response and thorough investigation that led to a suspended sentence for a serious but non-violent vehicle theft.