Key Points
- Darragh O’Grady, age 31, homeless but from Ireland, appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
- This story starts from Monday, 24 August when a taxi, stolen from Holyhead, crashed into a cyclist on London Road.
- Injuries were not fatal and the cyclist went to hospital; some parked vehicles also suffered damage.
- The taxi drove on A55 westbound in the wrong direction until it was stopped by North Wales Police in the area between Rhosneigr and Rhostrehwfa.
- There were road closures on A55 to allow the vehicle to be stopped safely; there were no collisions resulting from the wrong direction driving.
- O’Grady pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, refusing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving without third party insurance, and otherwise than in accordance with a license.
- Additional charges against him included aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a person, and fraud by false representation.
- His sentencing was delayed in September because Judge Nicola Jones asked for a psychiatric report.
- North Wales Police provided information on his sentencing on 10 November 2026.
Wales (Wales Times) November 10, 2026 — Darragh O’Grady has appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing after a stolen taxi was driven the wrong way along the A55 near Holyhead, following a collision that injured a cyclist. North uk/police/">Wales Police confirmed that O’Grady, 31, of no fixed abode but from Ireland, appeared before the court on Tuesday, 10 November.
The case stems from an incident in Holyhead on Monday, 24 August. North Wales Police said a taxi was reported stolen from Holyhead at about 19:30 BST. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle was involved in a collision with a cyclist on London Road, during which several parked vehicles were also damaged.
What happened on the A55?
As reported by the BBC, the taxi then entered the A55 westbound and travelled against the flow of traffic. Officers intervened and temporarily closed the road before safely stopping the vehicle between Rhosneigr and Rhostrehwfa.
North Wales Police said the cyclist was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The force also confirmed that there were no collisions as a result of the vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on the A55.
In a statement issued at the time, North Wales Police said:
“One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody while enquiries continue.”
The force added that the A55 was temporarily closed while officers dealt with the incident and ensured the road was safe to reopen.
Which offences did Darragh O’Grady admit?
As reported by the North Wales Chronicle, O’Grady had previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving a motor vehicle without third-party insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
He was also charged with aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a person and fraud by false representation in relation to the Holyhead incident. The Independent reported that North Wales Police charged him with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, aggravated taking of a vehicle and other driving offences, as well as theft and fraud by false representation.
At Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on 27 August, O’Grady admitted the driving-related offences. He was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Why was sentencing delayed?
As reported by North Wales Live journalist Richard Youle, O’Grady’s sentencing was postponed on 18 September after his barrister, Richard Edwards, applied for an adjournment so that a psychiatric report could be prepared. The report was sought in relation to potential schizophrenia, for which O’Grady was not currently medicated.
Judge Nicola Jones agreed to the adjournment and listed the case for sentencing on 10 November. As reported by the North Wales Chronicle and the North Wales Pioneer, she said:
“What has happened here is an unusual set of circumstances and we need the full information.”
The judge also said that having schizophrenia could be a significant mitigating factor, according to North Wales Live. She stated that the psychiatric report could “only be for the good of Mr O’Grady”.
What did North Wales Police say?
North Wales Police said the investigation remained active after the initial arrest and urged the public not to speculate about the details of the incident or the motivations behind it.
The force also said there was no evidence to indicate that the events of Monday evening had been filmed for the purpose of uploading material to social media.
The police statement followed widespread local concern after drivers reported seeing a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on the A55. Officers said they encountered the vehicle while travelling on the correct side of the carriageway and were able to bring it to a safe stop.
What role did the taxi firm play?
The vehicle was understood to belong to Tacsi Zoe, an Anglesey-based taxi firm. The company later confirmed that one of its cars had been stolen on 24 August and said none of its drivers were involved in the incident on the A55.
As reported by WalesOnline, witnesses had reported seeing a vehicle travelling against traffic before police intervened. The company’s statement sought to distinguish the theft of its vehicle from the conduct of the person alleged to have driven it.
What happens after sentencing?
The sentencing hearing took place at Caernarfon Crown Court on 10 November, following the psychiatric assessment ordered in September. North Wales Police published an update confirming that O’Grady appeared for sentencing on that date.
The available reporting does not provide a verified account of the sentence imposed, any driving disqualification, compensation order or further remarks made during the hearing. This article therefore does not attribute an outcome that has not been publicly confirmed in the available sources.
Background of the development
The incident began in Holyhead on the evening of Monday, 24 August, when North Wales Police received a report that a taxi had been stolen. The vehicle was subsequently involved in a collision with a cyclist on London Road, before entering the A55 westbound in the wrong direction.
Police closed part of the A55 while responding to the incident. The road was reopened after officers carried out safety checks and stopped the vehicle.
O’Grady first appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on 27 August, where he admitted several driving offences. The case was then sent to Caernarfon Crown Court, where sentencing was initially listed for 18 September before being adjourned for a psychiatric report.
Prediction: how this may affect road users
For drivers, cyclists and residents in Anglesey and north-west Wales, the case is likely to reinforce concerns about road safety on the A55, a major dual carriageway linking Holyhead with the North Wales coast. The temporary closure and police response demonstrate how quickly an incident involving a vehicle travelling against traffic can disrupt travel and require an emergency operation.
For taxi operators, the case may prompt renewed attention to vehicle security and reporting procedures following theft. Tacsi Zoe’s confirmation that one of its vehicles had been stolen, while none of its drivers were involved, highlights the operational and reputational consequences that can follow such an incident.
For the cyclist and other people affected, the court process may provide a formal account of the events and clarify responsibility. The psychiatric report ordered before sentencing indicates that the court considered medical evidence relevant to how the case should be dealt with.
