Man with 'a keen interest in motorsports' jailed for buying BMW with Limerick man's card

A YOUNG MAN “with a keen interest in motor sports” has been imprisoned for buying a BMW with a Limerick property developer’s credit card.

Gareth Delaney, 25, with a home address at Hyde Court, the Golf Links Road, Roscommon, bought a X5 BMW SUV for €27,000 from Murray’s autos in Nenagh, Tipperary on January 8, 2025.

Barrister Donal Cronin, defending, told Limerick Circuit Court that “there was a lack of sophistication” in the enterprise - and that Mr Delaney used his own name and address when making the purchase with the credit card.

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State Barrister John O’Sullivan detailed that Mr Delaney spent tens of thousands of euro in the space of a month - and made purchases at various car dealerships in Dublin, Longford and Nenagh.

Mr Cronin said in mitigation that Mr Delaney has ADHD and was off his medication at the time of the offences, and in this way, his “life became chaotic”.

The barrister detailed that upon detection Mr Delaney cooperated fully with gardaí, and that the man is “ashamed and remorseful” for his actions.

The court heard that the man was “under financial pressure at the time” of the offences, and that his behaviour was “really out of character” for him. He stated that Mr Delaney has paid back the €30,000 for the thefts, and asked the judge to consider his previous good record.

Mr Cronin further added that Mr Delaney is employed as a lorry driver and plays hand ball to a high level in his local club.
Judge Colin Daly was told that the man never came to the attention of the gardaí prior to the thefts - bar two road traffic offences.

The judge said that Mr Delaney is an intelligent young man, and “knew what he was doing was wrong”.

Judge Daly sentenced the man to two and a half years’ imprisonment. The young man left the court shaking his head and red faced.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme