Teen who stole double-decker bus in Dublin pleads guilty

A teenager who stole a double-decker bus in Dublin and took it for a 30-minute drive before handing himself over to gardaí, has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

Dublin Children’s Court heard the 17-year-old boy was missing from a care unit when he stole the bus from outside the Go Ahead Ireland premises in Ballymount on a date in August last year.

He pleaded guilty to the bus theft charge when he appeared before Judge Paul Kelly on Wednesday.

The court heard that the teenager, who had left his care facility in Cork, managed to get the bus started.

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He travelled along the Naas Road and went on a drive for about 30 minutes before bringing the bus back.

Defence solicitor Brian Keenan said the teen then “presented himself at Ballyfermot Garda station.”

Charges for driving without a licence or insurance were dropped, and the defence confirmed there was a guilty plea to stealing the bus.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case should not be sent to a higher court, and Judge Kelly accepted jurisdiction.

The court heard he is now in new accommodation in Dublin and seeking to learn a trade.

Judge Kelly adjourned sentencing for a probation report to be furnished to the court. He granted the youth legal aid and told him to “stay off the buses other than being a passenger”.