Man who stole car with two children inside from retail park jailed for three years

A MAN who stole a car with a schoolgirl and a baby inside from a busy retail park has been handed a three-year sentence.

Informing Martin McDonagh (36) that he will serve half his sentence behind bars, followed by the same period on licence after release, Judge Patricia Smyth spoke of the emotional impact the “terrifying” incident had on his victims.

Belfast Crown Court heard that as the car thief was stealing the vehicle, the owner — the children’s mother — was assaulted and dragged along the road as she tried to stop it being taken.

McDonagh, who has the mental age of between six and nine years, also assaulted a man who gave chase as he drove off.

Judge Smyth said while there was “no suggestion” McDonagh intended to harm the children, who at the time were aged 10 and 18 months, the eldest child later expressed fears she would never see her mother again.

The judge also pointed out that the incident, which occurred at around 5.30pm on February 25, took place just 12 days after McDonagh had been released on licence for a previous offence.

The father of three, from Ardmoulin Terrace in the Falls area of Belfast, was drunk and had taken a cocktail of drugs when he got into the Volkswagen Golf.

It was parked outside Sports Direct at the Boucher Retail Park with the engine running and the keys in the ignition.

The driver had left the engine running while she popped into a store and as she was leaving and making her way back to her car, she saw McDonagh getting into it and reversing. The court heard the woman’s daughter was in the front seat, while her toddler son was in the back.

The terrified mum ran to the car and grabbed McDonagh’s arm but was pushed to the ground and dragged a short distance as the car was driven away.

The incident was witnessed by a number of people, one of whom ran after the departing Golf. The man was able to catch up with the car, open the driver’s door and grab the keys.

McDonagh took a swing at and missed the man.

But he did grab the man by the throat — in full view of the schoolgirl. He then fled the scene but was apprehended nearby.

The court was told he smelled of alcohol and failed to provide a specimen of breath to police.

He was also “aggressive and abusive” towards officers. Mc- Donagh initially denied involvement. He said he had consumed alcohol along with heroin, cannabis, valium and cocaine, and also claimed he believed the car was his sister’s and she had been drink driving in Belfast.

McDonagh — who has 32 previous convictions — later admitted nine charges, including child abduction, dangerous driving and driving while unfit.

Defence barrister Seamus Lannon said: “He accepts it was idiotic and he is embarrassed and deeply remorseful about the effect this behaviour has had on the children, and on the mother who was emotionally distressed and physically hurt.”

Noting the impact the incident has had on both the mother and her daughter, Judge Smyth told McDonald he had “caused significant harm to these innocent members of the public”.