Man who led gardaí on high speed car chases is warned he is facing a significant sentence

By Eimear Dodd

A Dublin man who led gardaí on two separate high-speed car chases has been warned that he is facing a sentence of “some significance”.

Kacper Koszarski (23) pleaded guilty to 17 charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court including four counts of dangerous driving, four of trespass, one of endangerment, four of criminal damage, two of burglary, one of production of a knife and one of the unauthorised taking of a vehicle on dates in 2020 and 2022.

After hearing the evidence yesterday, Judge Elva Duffy agreed to adjourn the case “with some reluctance” to March 22 for a probation report, urine analysis and governor’s report.

She said the court considers that a “sentence of some significance” will have to be imposed in this case, which she noted included “two high-speed chases”.

She remanded Koszarski of Eastwood, Ratoth Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 in custody until the next day.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the homeowners of a property in Maynooth, Co. Kildare were woken up by noises in their home at 2.30am on March 13, 2020.

Two sets of car keys were removed from the house, but only one car, a Renault Megane, was taken.

Later that night, the Megane was spotted by gardaí at a checkpoint on the N7/Naas Road travelling at high speed.

Gardaí followed the car, which was being driven by Koszarski, and directed it to pull in, however, it did not stop.

Koszarski was driving in an erratic manner, swerving over speed bumps and driving on the wrong side of the road.

The chase ended when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a safety barrier.

The two occupants of the car fled on foot, but were quickly caught.

Koszarski was arrested, but said nothing of evidential value during interview.

A balaclava, a wheelbrace and a kitchen knife were found during a search of the car.

Koszarski’s co-accused was the passenger in the vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced separately to three years in prison with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.

The following month, gardaí were called to estates on the Blackhorse Road in Dublin following reports of a male trespasser in a number of gardens who appeared to be trying to break into houses on April 20.

Gardaí went to one house at 6.50am and saw a male in the house.

They knocked on the front door and the male left.

The homeowner answered the front door and identified that some property in the house had been moved.

Koszarski was arrested soon afterwards in a nearby garden.

A different homeowner had also been woken up by a bang in the early hours and found a man trying to get into their house through a back door.

Koszarski took a knife from his pocket, before leaving the garden.

This injured party found gloves and a different knife by the side of their house.

The black-handled kitchen knife Koszarski had been holding was later found in another garden.

Another injured party saw a male trying to open the sitting room window at the front of their house.

Koszarski left, and the homeowner noticed damage to the window and the frame.

Koszarski trespassed into a number of gardens of other properties in the area and in some instances, was seen by homeowners attempting to access doors or windows.

In one of these incidents, the homeowner was awoken by a light shining in his bedroom.

He checked CCTV and saw a man standing in his side alley.

When asked what he was doing, Koszarski replied, he was “going to kill him”.

Nothing of evidential value was obtained during interview.

On July 5, 2022, a Toyota Aqua came to the attention of gardai as its lights were not on.

They indicated for the car to stop, but it didn’t and a chase followed, which lasted for around 30 minutes.

The court heard the car’s keys were taken during a burglary earlier that evening, but Koszarski is not charged in relation to this.

Koszarski drove the car at high speed during the pursuit including on a section of road where works were taking place endangering construction workers in vehicles and on foot.

The pursuit ended after Koszarski lost control of the car after it struck a roundabout.

The car was written off with the insurer making a payment of €11,500 to the vehicle’s owner.

A number of traffic signs were also damaged in the collision.

Following arrest, Koszarski was taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station, where he spit on the floor.

He told gardai that “I f’ing smoked you,” after caution.

During interview, he said he had bought the car for €150, denied any invovlement in the burglary and expressed remorse.

One victim impact statement from the homeowners of the property in Maynooth was provided to the court, but not read aloud.

Koszarski has 39 previous convictions including seven for theft.

A bench warrant was issued after he did not appear in court for a trial date last year.

He went into custody in December after handing himself in for the warrant to be executed.

The investigating gardai agreed with Karl Monahan BL, defending, that Koszarski was initially unfit for interview following arrest.

It was also agreed that his guilty pleas were of value to the prosecution and the injured parties.

It was further accepted that his previous convictions relate to the District Court and some to when he was a juvenile.

Koszarski’s partner took to the stand and told the court that the couple have one young son with additional needs.

She said her partner is of great assistance in the care of the child.

Koszarski also took the stand and apologised for his behaviour.

He said he had an addiction to tablets but is now drug free.

He said he became homeless at the age of 14 due to difficulties at home before going into foster care.

He then experienced homelessness after 18.

Koszarski said he developed an addiction to tablets, but is now drug-free.

He said he wishes to engage with drug counselling and education while in custody.

Koszarski said he wishes to find work once he leaves custody and intends to complete an apprenticeship.

Mr Monahan said his client is “looking for a chance to prove and improve himself”.

He asked the  court to take into account his client’s young age, addiction issues and expressions of remorse.

He said his client instructs he is drug-free and would be willing to provide urine analysis.

Defence counsel asked for as much leniency as possible for his client.