MAN JAILED FOR THREE YEARS AFTER DRIVING STOLEN TAXI THE WRONG WAY ON A55

A man who stole a taxi in Holyhead, seriously injured a cyclist and drove the wrong way down the A55 has been jailed for three years.

Darragh O’Grady, 31, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday 10 November. Alongside his prison sentence, he was banned from driving for five-and-a-half years.

He had previously admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and other driving offences, as well as theft and fraud by false representation.

North Wales Police said O’Grady arrived at Holyhead Port by ferry on 24 August and stole a taxi from Holborn Road in the town that evening.

His erratic driving in the stolen cab forced other road users to swerve out of his way and damaged several parked vehicles, prompting multiple calls to the police control room. Shortly afterwards, he hit a cyclist on London Road, leaving the rider with serious and lasting injuries.

O’Grady failed to stop and drove the stolen taxi onto the westbound carriageway of the A55, travelling against the flow of traffic. Officers from the Roads Crime Unit halted oncoming vehicles before deploying a stinger to bring the taxi to a stop near Rhosneigr, where he was arrested.

Following his arrest, officers found bank cards and a mobile phone that had been stolen on the ferry O’Grady travelled on earlier that day. He had already spent more than £200 of the victim’s money.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nick Evans said: “O’Grady’s actions that evening were reckless and inherently dangerous. The A55 is the main route to Holyhead Port and at national speed limit, it is incredibly lucky that no fatalities occurred.

“Without the courageous response by officers to resolve the situation, the consequences could have been devastating."

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