Jail for man who stole and crashed car in bid to get home

A DUBLIN man who stole a car in order to get home from a day out with his girlfriend in Co Wicklow - before crashing it and trying to hijack another vehicle - has been jailed for five and a half years.

- BY SEAN McCARTHAIGH

Alan Melia, 31, of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser and causing €80,000 in criminal damage on February 9, 2024, as well as attempting to hijack another vehicle.

His girlfriend, Jade Burns, 21, of Celbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to trespass and being carried in the stolen vehicle.