Three sentenced after burglary and ensuing pursuit of stolen car wrong way down Westlink

Three men have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on 28th March 2025, following a report of a stolen car driving along the Westlink in 2022.

32-year-old Ciaran McGuigan was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing for two counts of burglary, 1 count of Attempted Burglary, two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, in which a vehicle was driven dangerously causing damage to three other vehicles, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a specimen and assault on police.

41-year-old Malachy Goodman was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months for two counts of burglary, attempted burglary, taking a motor vehicle without owner’s consent and aggravated vehicle taking in which a vehicle was driven dangerously. Goodman pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing for these offences.

33-year-old Ciaran Tully, who again plead guilty at an earlier hearing was sentenced to 12 months for aggravated vehicle in which a vehicle was driven dangerously and possession of a blade or point in a public place.

Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Faulkner said:

“On Saturday 5th November 2022, colleagues from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Air Support Unit spotted a stolen white BMW car driving in the greater Belfast area. As the vehicle was driving from Castlereagh, a police pursuit ensued as the car travelled city bound. As the vehicle drove recklessly through the city centre, with many near-misses of other motorists, it ran through red-lights and mounted pavements before joining the Westlink.

“The vehicle then proceeded to drive the wrong way up the Westlink, including carrying out a 3 point turn on the motorway on a busy Saturday afternoon. A number of vehicles were damaged, along with a number of our officers injured during the proactive pursuit before it was finally brought to halt at the Divis Street area of Belfast and all three men were detained by police.

Video from police helicopter

“This not only showed the importance of collaborate working across various departments within the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Colleagues put their lives at risk, in order to apprehend those involved and keep the public safe. It is only by chance that we were not dealing with loss of lives as well.

“Today’s sentencing is a strong indication to anyone who commits a criminal offence, that police will bring you before the courts and you will face the full rigours of the law.”