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Stolen taxi terror on A55: Man jailed after seriously injuring cyclist and driving wrong way into oncoming traffic
A man who stole a taxi before driving dangerously through Holyhead, seriously injuring a cyclist and travelling the wrong way along the A55, has been jailed for three years.
Darragh O’Grady, 31, of no fixed abode but originally from Ireland, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday 10 November, having previously admitted a series of driving, theft and fraud offences.
The incident started on the evening of 24 August, when O’Grady stole a taxi from Holborn Road in Holyhead. He had arrived at the nearby port by ferry earlier that day.
His driving prompted multiple emergency calls as other motorists were forced to swerve to avoid collisions. Several parked vehicles were also damaged as he continued through the town.
O’Grady subsequently collided with a cyclist on London Road, leaving the victim with serious and lasting injuries. Rather than stopping at the scene, he continued driving the stolen taxi.
He then entered the westbound carriageway of the A55 and travelled in the wrong direction, creating a further danger to approaching traffic.
Officers from the Roads Crime Unit responded by safely stopping traffic before deploying a stinger device near Rhosneigr to bring the stolen vehicle to a halt.
O’Grady was arrested and taken into police custody.
During subsequent searches, officers recovered bank cards and a mobile phone that had been reported stolen aboard the ferry O’Grady had travelled on earlier that day.
Investigations established that he had also spent more than £200 belonging to the theft victim.
O’Grady previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and other motoring offences. He also admitted theft and fraud by false representation.
At sentencing, the court imposed a three-year prison term and disqualified him from driving for five and a half years.
The case involved the theft of a working taxi, serious injuries to a vulnerable road user and a police intervention on one of North Wales' principal transport routes.
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.
“I once again thank the community for quickly raising the alert to O’Grady’s behaviour and their support throughout this investigation.”
