Relief as 4x4 seized by gardaí in Donegal despite being bought legally is returned

A Range Rover which has been in a garda compound in Donegal for two-and-a-half years despite being bought legitimately from a reputable dealer has finally been returned to the buyer.

The matter has been before Ballyshannon District Court over the last few years, including special sittings where a garda travelled from Dublin. However, at the most recent court sitting in Ballyshannon on March 20, Judge Ciaran Liddy ruled that the vehicle, which has significantly depreciated since being impounded, be returned. 

The court heard that in 2023, Gary O’Brien bought the 191-registered Land Rover Range Rover for €70,000 in Dublin. It was purchased from a well-established and reputable high end car dealer which carried several million euro worth of stock at any given time. The sum of €70,000 consisted of a trade-in of the applicant’s own vehicle along with €40,000. 

Shortly afterwards, the Range Rover was seized due to being the subject of a criminal investigation. It has since been sitting in a compound at the rear of Ballyshannon Garda Station.

His solicitor Gerry McGovern said: “Mr O’Brien was told it was a suspected stolen vehicle. 

“I always thought if you traded with a respectable garage that this type of thing did not happen. 

It is not like buying a car from the side of the road.”

Mr McGovern told the court that his client sought the return of the vehicle by way of a police property application.

“He was told he did not have title to the vehicle,” said the solicitor. “It has been before two judges. It is wasting away.”

The owner, Mr O’Brien said he had spoken to a mechanic about the current condition of the vehicle.

“It is worth half what it was when I bought it,” he said. “It would probably cost about €5,000 to €7,000 to get it on the road after being there without moving for two-and-a-half years.”

Mr McGovern outlined that an investigating garda had travelled from Dublin and given evidence at two special sittings relating to the vehicle. It became the subject of a criminal investigation when a woman made a complaint to gardaí that her vehicle had been stolen. It is alleged that, having become estranged from her boyfriend, he had changed vehicle registration to his name and sold it. 

Previous judges had adjourned the case to allow time for the garda investigation to take place.

Mr McGovern stressed: “The only police property application is this one. The only registered papers are these ones. 

“This is a high end vehicle that has been wasting away. “It is going to drop another €5,000 or €10,000 in the next couple of months.”

Inspector Tony Boyle said he appreciated the applicant’s position.

“We have tried to contact the garda in Dublin,” he added.

Judge Liddy ruled: “The court must allow a reasonable time for an investigation to take place. This is going on for two-and-a-half years.”

He granted the application to return the vehicle to Mr O’Brien.