A man who stole a woman's handbag when her car stopped at traffic lights has been jailed for seven years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Derek Doran was arrested seconds later by a garda who was stopped at the same traffic lights, the court heard.
Doran (22), of Templeview Copse, Clare Hall, Coolock, pleaded guilty to stealing £332 and causing criminal damage to a car at Poplar Row, Dublin, on January 1st, 1997. He had been out on bail at the time.
Garda John Stafford said Doran used his fist to smash the window of the car. He had grabbed a handbag and fled towards Garda James Bulger, who was sitting in a car nearby. He had been arrested and later admitted the offences.