Teenage boy stole car in Donegal and drove to Drogheda

A teenager stole a car from the Tesco carpark in Letterkenny before filling it with diesel at the Dry Arch Filling Station and driving off without paying.

The 17-year-old then drove to Drogheda in Co Louth before abandoning the car at the side of a road.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is underage, appeared at Falcarragh District Court where Gardai objected to bail.

Gardai said the youth was before the courts on 17 other charges and they feared he would not return if bailed.

They added that he had been reported missing 9 times since October 6th and was in breach of his previous bail conditions.

However, his solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher said there had been no damage done to the car, that the boy had found a key on the wheel of the Skoda car and that nobody was injured during the incident.

He said his client was willing to abide by any bail conditions which were imposed by the court.

Having heard the evidence of Gardai as well as Mr Gallagher's proposal, Judge Cunningham said she was affording the boy an opportunity.

However, she said she was imposing strict conditions including that he reside at a named location in Rathmullan, have a mobile phone where he is contactable by Gardai, sign on, be of good behaviour and not commit any further offence and observe a 10pm to 7am curfew.

"It is very important that you adhere to these conditions," Judge Cunningham told the boy who was accompanied to court by his mother.

The case was adjourned until next Monday for directions for the Director of Public Prosecutions.