
My brother was killed by brazen teen in stolen car going 130kph – that's not an accident, the driver needs to be charged
And as
Advertisement
4
Mikey Farrelly's brother Conor told how he wants the killer driver to be prosecuted
Credit: Gary Ashe
4
Conor Farrelly spoke to the Irish Sun's Stephen Breen about the loss of his 'wonderful' brother
Credit: Gary Ashe
4
The shocking incident, which has left Mikey's family reeling, occurred on July 17, 2024 just after midnight
Credit: Collins Photos
Musician Michael, 40, known as Mikey, was killed when he was struck by a stolen vehicle travelling at 130kph on Coast Road, Baldoyle, just after midnight on July 17, 2024.
He was just 50 yards from the entrance to his estate when he was struck by the Hyundai Kona.
Advertisement
The teenage driver of the vehicle — suspected of being a member of the 'Lucky Dip' burglary
The suspect — who was arrested last September and later released without charge — was on bail at the time of the hit-and-run.
Since then, the yob has been linked to numerous car thefts and burglaries across Ireland.
Videos of the suspect and his associates have also been circulated on
And he was this weekend posting videos online in stolen cars.
Advertisement
As the Garda probe continues, Michael's brother spoke exclusively to The Irish Sun on Sunday about his family's ongoing torment.
Conor, from north
'The person who took his life ran from the scene, showed no remorse and yet continues to steal cars — he could have helped my brother.'
He continued: 'Grief is very much on hold for us — it's impossible to process what's happening when there is a live investigation and we're seeing videos of these guys out doing it again.
'I don't understand how someone can hit a human being at that speed, kill them and not stop.
Advertisement
'They know what they've done and yet they keep doing it.
'There was no decency shown to my brother — if I hit a dog I would check to see if it was OK.
'He wasn't killed in an accident — it was a
'SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE'
Speaking about his family's quest for justice, Conor said: 'I would like to see this person charged with what he has done. At the end of day, my brother is dead and someone should be held accountable.
'I want action taken on this because we won't be the last family to suffer. I have to be his voice now because he spent his whole life looking after me.
Advertisement
'I truly hope the sentence acts as a deterrent to others and also reflects the gravity of the
'A completely innocent man has been robbed of a bright future.'
He added: 'The devastation left behind can't be put into words.
Whatever sentence he gets it's incalculable to the sentence we have for the rest of our lives.
'Our family and Mikey's friends have been left shattered — no one should have to lose their life in such a reckless and violent way.'
Advertisement
The hit-and-run victim's brother also hit out at Ireland's bail laws.
'TERRIBLE TRAGEDY'
He said: 'Had circumstances and laws been different this terrible tragedy wouldn't have happened.
'Mikey's death was completely avoidable because these guys shouldn't have been out.
'We're not the only family going through this — families have been torn apart because bail laws aren't fit for purpose. They were out on bail for multiple thefts and their actions have real consequences.
'People are losing their lives and families are shattered in this continuous
Advertisement
'These criminals who are out on bail all the time are operating without any deterrent or consequences. Enough is enough.'
Conor continued: 'How many families have to be broken apart? How many people have to die before something is done?
'We can't tolerate this — anyone who does an offence like this should be placed in custody.
'VIOLENT OFFENCE'
'If you hit someone at 130kph in a stolen car this is a violent offence, yet he does it repeatedly.
'What do you have to do to be classed as a violent offender?'
Advertisement
Conor also revealed how his brother had just completed his first album in the weeks before he was tragically killed.
He said: 'Mikey's whole life revolved around
'He went into a recording studio in
'We were at a family dinner last summer and he'd never played in front of us.
'He took out the guitar and sang three of the songs he'd composed.
'We were blown away and so proud — we were lucky to have experienced that. It is something we will never forget.'
Advertisement
Conor also told of his pain over Michael's absence at his upcoming wedding later this year.
He revealed: 'His music was beautiful. We will now use it as a celebration of his life and some of it will feature at my wedding.
It is a day I will never forget and no family should have to endure this type of experience"
'He was delighted to be my best man and was he really looking forward to it. He really wanted to be the best he could be and now unfortunately we will both miss out — this is very sad.'
Conor added: 'The only reason he won't be there is because of the actions of someone else and this makes it incredibly hard.'
As part of his interview with us, Conor also revealed how he had been made aware of the tragedy.
Advertisement
He explained: 'I had a strange feeling when I saw there had been an incident in Baldoyle.
'I was working at home when the Gardai showed up and told us Mikey had passed away.
'It is a day I will never forget and no family should have to endure this type of experience.'
4
Conor Farrelly, right, pictured alongside his beloved brother Mikey
Credit: Supplied

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Man questioned over planting of three bombs at water supply sites
Gardaí are questioning a man as to why he planted three viable bomb devices at separate water supply sites across the country. The suspect was arrested on Sunday in a joint Garda-PSNI operation as searches were being conducted at his Co Armagh home. The man, a welder in his 40s, has no known connections with republican paramilitaries or any other type of violent extremist group. No manifesto or campaign linked to the suspect has been located although the results of the PSNI search are not yet known. Initial indications suggest that personal or mental health issues may be a major factor in the man's actions, as opposed to wider political or ideological motivation. Sources are also investigating if the man was interested in conspiratorial theories and are examining his online activities. The suspect is linked to two incidents in the North, which happened some years ago, and three incidents in the Republic. One of the devices was found a year or two ago in north Dublin. A second device was recovered in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan a few months ago, while the most recent incident, in Foynes, Co Limerick, was spotted last Friday. Security sources said that while the devices were viable, they were missing certain technical expertise. The devices were placed at commercial premises either at connection points to water supplies or at waste treatment sites. Gardaí do not think it is connected with Irish Water and two of the incidents are in the North. The Garda Special Detective Unit — the force's anti-terrorism branch — is supporting local garda investigations, coordinating all three investigations, and is liaising with the PSNI. The Garda Cavan/Monaghan branch is taking the lead in the local investigations. Sources said the man went to a 'huge amount of effort' making the devices, travelling the country and breaking into commercial properties to plant the devices. Sources have moved to contradict speculation that the incident at the Aughinish Alumina refinery at Foynes is connected to its Russian ownership. Security sources said all three devices are similar and that they have been linked to the suspect. If the devices were detonated the damage would have been 'site-specific' and not had any wider impact on water supplies, sources believe. But if someone was near it, it could have caused significant injuries. A Garda HQ statement said: 'As part of the investigation into the discovery of a number of attempted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Northeast and Southwest of the country, a male (40s) was arrested on Sunday. 'He is currently being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in the North Western Region. "An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with our colleagues in the PSNI in relation to this investigation." Read More Man arrested after five viable bombs placed at water supply sites


Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Garda whistleblower claims financial penalisation after voicing concerns about equipment
A senior Garda officer claims he has been financially penalised, with his pay cut by half while he has been on sick leave, because he made protected disclosures outlining concerns about Garda practices and equipment. Detective superintendent Brian O'Reilly has taken his case against An Garda Síochána (AGS) to Dublin Circuit Civil Court in a bid to have his full remuneration reinstated. He claims Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has breached protections for whistleblowers enshrined in legislation by penalising him after he had made protected disclosures. Det Supt O'Reilly claimed in his protected disclosure that leather holsters issued to gardaí for their firearms, made and supplied by an equine saddlery in Kildare, may have been responsible for the serious accidental self-wounding of a garda on protection duty. The injured garda was on duty at the residence of the Israeli ambassador in Dublin on June 11th, 2020. That incident was followed six days later by the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was shot and killed by an individual who disarmed him by taking his gun from his holster. That person was later convicted of Det Garda Horkan's capital murder. READ MORE Rosario Boyle SC, appearing with Conor Duff BL, for Det Supt O'Reilly, on Monday told the court her client had suffered 'dire' consequences at such a large reduction in remuneration. This had resulted in difficulties paying his mortgage, it was claimed. His pay has been reduced to 50 per cent of what it ordinarily would be, as the illness that has forced him out of work is classified by AGS as an 'ordinary' sickness rather than 'injury from duty'. Ms Boyle said that in January, the gardaí's executive director, people and development, Yvonne Cooke, rejected Det Supt O'Reilly's application for his absence to be classified as 'injury from duty'. She did so on the basis of a report by a detective chief superintendent asked to investigate the cause of the illness-injury. She also considered the views of An Garda Síochána's chief medical officer. Conor Power SC, for the Garda Commissioner, told Judge John O'Connor there was no proof to suggest Det Supt O'Reilly's absence from work had been categorised in such a way because he made a protected disclosure. He said Det Supt O'Reilly's stance was 'this has been refused to me, therefore it's penalisation because I made a protected disclosure'. Judge O'Connor has said he will endeavour to deliver a judgment by the end of the month, with the case listed for mention on July 25th. Det Supt O'Reilly made his protected disclosure about the holsters in June 2021, saying he had 'ongoing significant concerns'. In the second half of 2022, he raised further concerns internally about plans for a 'defective' leather pistol holster to be tested by Garda armourers at the request of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Det Supt O'Reilly said he raised these concerns as he believed they were not qualified. He believed efforts were made to undermine him, including excluding him from decision-making, and to force him out of his position as acting head of the Garda National Technical Bureau. In late 2022, having placed a circular about 'defective' holsters on the Garda portal, he declined a request from management to withdraw it, he claims. In April 2023, Det Supt O'Reilly began a period of sick leave which, he says, was brought about because of his work. In July of that year, he was informed he was being placed under investigation for breach of discipline. This related to his claimed actions around the commission of a second report by Garda management on the leather pistol holster.


Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gardaí launch probe after arson attack at restaurant leaves man hospitalised
Gardaí have launched an investigation after an arson attack at a Dublin restaurant left a man hospitalised. Authorities were alerted to an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred late on Friday night, July 4, at a restaurant on Frederick Street North in Dublin at around 11:30pm . One man, aged in his 50s, was brought to hospital as a precaution following the incident, which took place at a Somalian cafe and takeaway. It is understood that there is no indication at this time of a petrol bomb being used. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Gardaí confirmed that investigations are ongoing following the incident. A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: 'Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises on Frederick Street North, Dublin 1 shortly after 11:30pm on Friday, 4 July 2025. 'A male, aged in his 50s, was brought to hospital by Gardaí as a precaution. Investigations are ongoing.'