A 17-year-old youth has pleaded guilty at Dublin Children's Court to charges of endangerment of life and motor theft following a high-speed pursuit in Dublin during which he drove on the wrong side of the M50 motorway.

The court heard that on the night of May 18, gardaí detected the teenager driving a stolen Toyota Aqua with another youth as a passenger on Fortunestown Way in Tallaght. The driver failed to stop when signalled by officers, initiating a 33-minute chase through local roads and onto the M50.

Garda Jason Curran gave evidence that the vehicle entered the M50 on two separate occasions via exit slip roads, travelling south in the northbound lanes against heavy oncoming traffic. The pursuit involved multiple garda units, stinger devices, and tracking by the Garda Air Support Unit helicopter before the vehicle was brought to a halt due to damaged tyres.

Defence counsel Noah Rossiter told Judge Paul Kelly that the youth experienced a significant shift in attitude following a fatal collision on the M9 motorway in County Kildare in August, in which five youths died. Mr Rossiter stated that the tragedy prompted the teenager to realise the severe consequences of continuing such reckless behaviour.

Judge Kelly accepted jurisdiction to deal with the matter in the Children's Court after considering the evidence, despite State arguments that the case should be sent to the Circuit Court. The teenager cannot be publicly identified due to statutory protections for juveniles.