Man (47) who hijacked car with baby in back jailed for eight years
A man who left a 10-month-old baby between parked cars on the side of a busy Dublin road after hijacking her mother's car has been jailed for eight years.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the infant's seven-year-old brother jumped out of the Skoda car and ran into the family home to alert his mother after Francis Broughan (47) hijacked it.
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The children's mother had run back into the family home when her son alerted her that the car had been taken.
The baby's parents flagged down a passing car and followed the Skoda, later losing sight of it.
Two women were chatting on a nearby street when they heard a baby crying and saw a man – Broughan - slamming a rear car door.
One of the woman shouted at Broughan, who then drove off. After the car left, they went to look as they could still hear a baby crying.
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They found the infant lying on her front on the ground between parked cars. The baby was checked at the scene by paramedics and did not require any further medical attention.
Broughan was jailed for eight years on Monday after pleading guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle in August 2022.
The court heard Broughan, of Shangan Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, had earlier hijacked a car parked outside a supermarket in North Dublin, after holding an object to the neck of the 81-year-old driver.
Broughan was arrested a few days later when gardaí on patrol spotted the car, which at this point had different number plates.
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In the earlier incident, the 81-year-old man was waiting for a friend who was in the supermarket when his car's rear door was opened.
Broughan put something to the man's neck and told him to drive, before shouting at him to hand over his phone and wallet.
The man said his phone and wallet were in the boot. Broughan told him to pull over.
The injured party said Broughan seemed calm so he decided to try to buy time to reach a busier road, where he pulled in.
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Broughan was shouting at him to get out of the car and leave the keys. The man beeped the car's horn to get the attention of passerbys, then grabbed the keys.
Broughan fled the scene. The man told gardaí he thought Broughan's intention was to rob him.
Victim impact statements were handed into the court and not read aloud.
When interviewed, Broughan told gardaí that he could not recall what had happened and was addicted to crack cocaine at the time.
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He identified himself on CCTV, expressed shame, disgust and embarrassment about his behaviour and apologised. He also expressed concern for the baby.
Broughan told gardaí he believed he bought the Skoda with the intention of living in it as he was homeless at the time. He accepted that his DNA may be found in both cars.
Broughan has 56 previous convictions including for burglary, road traffic and drugs offences. He was on bail at the time of these offences.
The investigating garda agreed with Justin McQuaid BL, defending, that his client told them he was addicted to crack cocaine.
It was further accepted that most of Broughan's offending is linked to his addiction issues, that he looks better now than in 2022 and has not come to recent garda attention.
Imposing sentence, Judge Elva Duffy noted the seriousness of the offending, the trauma suffered by the injured parties, the 'harrowing' contents of the victim impact statements and the particular vulnerabilities of the man, the young boy and the infant girl.
Judge Duffy said the mother outlined in her victim impact statement that the boy felt guilty for leaving his sister and had to be consoled that he had done the right thing in leaving the car to alert her.
The judge said Broughan further endangered the 'poor innocent and very vulnerable 10-month-old' by leaving her on the side of a busy road. 'How anybody could have done that beggars belief,' the judge added.
Broughan took the stand and expressed his sincere apologies to the injured parties. He outlined his history of addiction to heroin, that he got clean, but relapsed in 2022 after losing his job and started taking crack cocaine.
He said he committed the offence while in the throes of addiction, but was now drug-free, after going cold turkey, and working again.
He told Ms Dempsey, under cross-examination, that he took a trial date in order to prepare his defence.
Mr McQuaid asked the court to take into account his client's personal circumstances, guilty plea, expressions of remorse and efforts towards rehabilitation.
His client had a crack cocaine addiction at the time of this offending, but is now drug-free.
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Man (48) jailed for hijacking car with five-month-...
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Judge Duffy said the court would give Broughan credit for his guilty plea, which was entered in advance of a trial date.
She noted an accused person cannot attempt to 'put distance' between themselves and their offending by taking a trial date. 'One cannot buy time and abuse the court system,' Judge Duffy said.
Judge Duffy said the court was concerned that no urine analysis was provided to confirm Broughan's drug-free status.
Having considered the mitigation and Broughan's personal circumstances, Judge Duffy imposed an eight year sentence.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
What is behind the riots in Northern Ireland?
Police were attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks in a second night of violent disorder in a town in Northern Ireland on Tuesday night. Houses, cars, a car wash and tyre centre were also set alight by the protesters, who were eventually dispersed by officers firing plastic baton rounds and using water cannons. The trouble in Ballymena, in County Antrim, broke out on Monday after an alleged sexual assault on girl in the area. Ethnic minorities appeared to be targeted across the two nights of violence, with some residents resorting to displaying signs in their home windows to show their nationalities. A senior police officer has condemned the disorder as 'racist thuggery'. What is happening in Ballymena? On Monday night, unrest broke out around Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena, where several houses had their windows smashed and two suffered significant smoke damage. A total of 15 police officers were injured and several Police Service Northern Ireland vehicles targeted, as authorities attempted to stop the disorder. Monday night's violence was followed by further trouble on Tuesday night in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas, where police came under attack from masked protesters throwing fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. Hundreds of people had gathered from around 7pm, with officers in amour firing plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered. Water cannons were also used. Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. As rioters were dispersed into other parts of the town, a property on Bridge Street and a home on Queen Street were set on fire. Multiple cars were also set alight as part of blazes set by rioters, including near a car wash and tyre centre off Bridge Street and on Larne Street. Calm was restored by around 1am on Wednesday. How did the riots start? The unrest started after a peaceful protest on Monday which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. In connection with the incident, two 14-year-old boys have appeared in court charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. On Monday night, a third arrest was made. Where is Ballymena and what is it like? Ballymena is town which has a 30,000 population and is located a 30-minute drive from Belfast. Described in tourist brochures as a pretty shopping town, its main roads resembled a war zone on Tuesday night as tensions boiled over in the community. With ethnic minorities appearing to be targeted, residents have chosen to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. Police said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. What has the reaction been to the events? The prime minister 's official spokesman described the as 'very concerning'. They added: 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.' The Northern Ireland Secretary has said there is 'no justification' for attacks on police officers or vandalism. In a social media post, Hilary Benn said: 'The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. 'There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property.' Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson issued a public appeal for information and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice'. At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. He said: 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced.' What happens now? A heavy police presence remains in Ballymena following the second night of disorder, while work starts to clear the streets of debris and repair damage to homes and businesses. Police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI, said Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson. A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested on Monday night. He will now go before the courts as police expect to make others arrests following the examination of video footage.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Instant karma! Shocking moment Ballymena rioter sets HIMSELF on fire with petrol bomb as police vow more arrests and consider bringing in fresh troops from England and Wales after second night of rioting
This is the shocking moment a protester on the streets of Ballymena was set alight as chaos continued to rip through Northern Ireland for a second night in a row. Footage shows one protestor up in flames as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers - who condemned the 'racist thuggery' of rioters. Cars and properties were also set on fire after violence erupted in the Northern Irish town on Monday night following a peaceful vigil of 2,500 people that descended into mayhem. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as they desperately fought to bring the crowds to order. It comes after two 14-year-old boys - who both required a Romanian interpreter in court - were charged with the attempted oral rape of a teenage girl on June 7. A third arrest was made in relation to the sexual assault on Monday night as a 28-year-old man was taken in for questioning and then released. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder. Mr Henderson added there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. Police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI, the senior police officer added. In a statement, the PSNI said calm had been restored in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas by around 1am on Wednesday. The force said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. Violent disorder erupted on Monday night around Clonavon Terrace in the town, following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. A crowd of 300 yobs hurled petrol bombs at cops, smashed windows and torched cars throughout the Harryville area - the day after the peaceful vigil turned violent. The PSNI confirmed a number of homes and businesses were attacked as the mob rampaged across the town, while disorder also sparked in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and north Belfast. As horror spread across Ballymena last night masked thugs threw bottles, wood, rocks, metal bars, wheelie bins, and even a child's bike. In shocking scenes fireworks were aimed at police lines, receiving a large cheer from the crowd of protesters. Litter and debris were seen strewn across the roads and pavements, while smashed glass covered the town's streets. Families in the area told reporters they were fleeing their homes while some residents marked their doors with their nationality in an apparent bid to avoid attack. Vehicles parked on the road were smashed up with hammers, while rioters bust their tyres and tipped them upside down. Officers from the PSNI ran through the town accompanied by police dogs, dodging flying objects and debris from the blazes. Armoured Land Rovers tried to protect homes while police detained individuals and forced hundreds of people away from properties. Officers used a loudspeaker to make a repeat warning to 'disperse as force is about to be used against violent individuals'. Baton rounds - a less lethal alternative to traditional bullets - were fired on protesters, the PSNI later revealed. In a statement early this morning, when the rioting had finally been quelled at 1am, the force said: 'Calm has been restored in Ballymena following serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas last night. 'Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles. A number of homes and businesses were also attacked. A huge fire erupts in the middle of the street surrounded by protesters in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 'During the disorder, authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Calm was restored to the area at around 1am. 'Police also dealt with sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus with some incidents in north Belfast.' Flames roared dangerously close to residential properties as thick plumes of smoke filled the air. Houses were seen with their windows smashed in and doors vandalised with holes kicked through them. Properties had windows smashed as some residents chose to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. A water cannon was deployed by PSNI on the crowds, as a huge blaze came from the end of a row of terraced homes and among traffic lights in the town centre. The Northern Ireland Secretary said there is 'no justification' for attacks on police officers or vandalism in Ballymena. In a social media post, Hilary Benn said: 'The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. 'There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property.' The scenes of violence in Ballymena on Monday saw 15 police injured and four homes set alight. A Romanian mother-of-three who lives in one of the houses attacked during the violence said she has been left too scared to stay in the area. She said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the town on Monday night. Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace, while a number of residents said on Tuesday that they now intend to leave the area. The woman from Romania, who said she was too afraid to give her name, claimed she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken. 'The children were asking me why are we being attacked,' she said. 'I don't want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.' A Romanian man said he had lived in the area for 15 years. 'We don't even know why this happened to us,' he said. 'The riots started last night. We didn't expect it to come to our house. 'We tried to get out of the house and go to a safe place. 'I have lived here 15 years. Everything else has been nice, everything has been OK. 'I have so many friends in Ballymena, I have got so much support. 'Everyone was texting and asking us if we are OK, if we are safe, if they can do anything for us.' He added: 'I am lucky because the damage here is not too bad, but my sister has three kids, I have a little girl. 'We are going to live in a friend's house for a while and then try to move out of here.' He said: 'I like to believe I am a Ballymena man now, I have been living here half of my life. 'I understand if people want to protest but it did not have to be like this. 'We should not have to pay the price.' Riot police vans at Clonavon Terrace as people take part in a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town Police vehicles are seen on fire at Tuesday's out of control protest in Northern Ireland Armed police officers attend the scene in a bid to control day two of the riots in Ballymena Litter and debris can be seen strewn across the roads and pavements while smashed glass covers the town's streets A street is set on fire surrounded by people as Tuesday's demonstration erupts into chaos Troubles flair during the demonstration in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday A water cannon has been deployed by PSNI on the crowds in Ballymena on Tuesday evening A wall of riot police and armoured Land Rovers try to protect homes and force the crowd up the road Police have appealed for calm after serious disorder broke out again on Tuesday evening Huge flames and clouds of smoke come from the end of a row of houses during Tuesday's riots Police vans at Clonavon Terrace as people take part in a protest again on Tuesday evening Disorder has exploded onto the streets again on Tuesday in Northern Ireland Fireworks were allegedly fired at police lines, an action which received a large cheer from the crowd of protesters A water cannon has also been deployed by PSNI on the crowds in Ballymena, as a huge blaze and plumes of smoke came from the end of a row of terraced houses Chaos breaks out again in Ballymena on Tuesday for a second evening in a row PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force had a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances on Monday night in the town. He said: 'We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.' A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested during disorder in Ballymena on Monday night. The man, who is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3, has also been charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted as 'very concerning'. A spokesman for the PM said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
Sky News
5 hours ago
- Sky News
Ballymena riots: It is hard to see where the violence will end - and it could go on for weeks
The ugly, violent side of this Northern Ireland town was on full display once again last night. Angry mobs went on a rampage through the streets of Ballymena for a second evening as riot police from across this country were drafted in to push back against an escalating ambush. Hours of blaring sirens were punctured by the relentless sound of bricks and petrol bombs landing on police vehicles. The main roads became a war zone with fires in the middle of the carriageway, cars ablaze and the crunch of broken glass at our feet as we walked the streets. Masked and hooded young men were blasted with the water cannon as tensions boiled over in a strained, fragile community. This has been rumbling for days and began when a vigil, held for a girl who was the victim of an alleged sex attack was, according to police, hijacked by anti-immigration mobs. Authorities say "racist thugs" used the incident to plot their attacks on foreign people living locally. One family with three children were said to have hidden in their attic on Monday night as yobs ransacked their home. Another man told me how he had to drag his 84-year-old mum from her home of 40 years "kicking and screaming" as it was simply not safe anymore. "I've never seen anything like this," he said. On Tuesday, many displayed posters on their windows in a desperate bid to ensure their house did not become a target. Others draped union jack flags on full display. "British residents," one piece of paper stated. There is a feeling among the crowds here in Ballymena that the police branding them racists has escalated this row further. In a horrifying twist, we got word in the middle of the night that another house had been firebombed. When we arrived at the scene, it was a charred shell. The property was completely gutted. Neighbours described how several hundred "protesters" had gathered outside before hounding the foreign occupants out. One woman was pacing up and down, crying in distress at what happened. Another man, who lived a few doors, down hinted that this community had "had enough" of "people moving in". He lambasted the media and refused to engage any further. As I drove out of Ballymena at 1.30am I witnessed other families dragging suitcases full of their belongings through the streets. They were flanked by riot police, armed with shields, who helped them to safety in a late-night escape. 1:40 It is hard to see where this ends. The talk here is that this unrest is only just beginning. It could go on for weeks - and already there are questions about the pressure that will pile on police who will be desperate to de-escalate this mess.
