Matthew Grogan, a 26-year-old man from Applewood Village, Swords, Dublin, has been handed a three-year and nine-month prison term for commandeering and driving a purloined taxi while being pursued by the police force across two Irish counties. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court learned of Grogan’s guilty plea to charges, which included holding stolen goods, trespassing, causing criminal damage, driving without valid insurance, and two incidents of perilous driving. These offences occurred at different sites within Co Louth and Co Dublin between September 22nd and 23rd, 2021.
Grogan has a criminal history, consisting of 64 prior convictions spanning a range of offences such as burglary (completed and attempted), unauthorized procurement, theft, damaging property, carjacking, assault, drug misuse, public disorder, and traffic-related violations. While sentencing him on Tuesday, Judge Orla Crowe opined that Grogan’s actions reflected an extremely dangerous driving style that endangered the lives of gardaí from Ardee, Dundalk, and Swords, as well as personnel from the Armed Support Unit, who were involved in the chase.
Judge Crowe emphasized the seriousness of Grogan’s past convictions, the considerable resources used by the Garda in capturing him, his reckless high-speed driving, and the property damage he incurred as he stole and drove the taxi. She also considered the mitigating factors, such as Grogan’s admission of guilt, declarative statements upon arrest, substance addiction struggles, a troubled upbringing, and being separated from his kids due to the imprisonment.
Grogan’s total prison sentence of three years and nine months, suggested by Judge Crowe, took into consideration his time in detention while awaiting trial for this case. Additionally, the court banned him from driving for a period of two years.
Garda Colm Randle revealed that the theft was reported by a taxi driver who had parked his car and noticed it missing from the driveway around 10pm on September 22nd, 2021. At approximately 1.40 am, the police spotted and identified Grogan driving the stolen taxi in Ardee, but he failed to stop in spite of the police flashing their blue lights.
Following a high-speed chase where Grogan exceeded 170 km/hr whilst running red lights, he was finally apprehended by law enforcement. Fellow motorists were forced to manoeuvre out of immediate danger as he zigzagged across lanes to hinder the pursuing police from surpassing him. Not ceasing at a toll gate, he narrowly escaped collision with an unidentified police vehicle. Grogan also zoomed through a crossroad at a speed of 120 km/hr.
Multiple officers from the Armed Support Unit and the garda from Louth and Dublin partook in the chase which ended in the Swords area, where a heavily intoxicated Grogan, who could barely open his eyes, was detained. It took a few hours for Grogan to sober up enough to go through an interview.
In his session with the officers, Grogan confessed that he could hardly piece together the events of the previous day due to the inferior quality substances he had consumed. He is indeed doing his time behind bars and is expected to be released in June 2026.
Gda Randle agreed with the defence counsel, Patrick Jackson, BL, that Grogan was drunk when nabbed but, when sober, proved cooperative. The officer also concurred on Grogan’s substance abuse but pointed out his improved appearance compared to the night of his arrest.
Mr Jackson mentioned that Grogan, who dropped out of school at 14 and started experimenting with drugs, has fully overcome his addiction. Despite his young age, he has served multiple terms in prison. Grogan has sired two children, one of whom he will miss the first three years due to his ongoing incarceration. It has, however, dawned on him that he needs to turn over a new leaf.