PSNI OFFICERS DEPLOYED stingers to stop an Irish teenager who was clocked at speeds of up to 193 km/h in a stolen vehicle.

Late on Monday night, PSNI officers were alerted to a suspect vehicle travelling Northbound on the A1 Dual carriageway.

The vehicle, a White Audi A3, was reported to have been stolen following a burglary in the Republic on 4 September.

In a statement to The Journal, a garda spokesperson said Gardaí are investigating the unauthorised taking of an Audi A3 from the driveway of a residence in Trim, Co. Meath, during the early hours of 4 September. 

This vehicle was spotted by PSNI officers in the Dromore area of Co Down, between Banbridge and Lisburn.

The vehicle, driven by a 15-year-old from the Republic, failed to stop for police and a PSNI spokesperson said the car “made off at speeds up to 120 mph (193 km/h).

The stolen vehicle was stopped by deploying a stinger which caused the two front tyres to slowly deflate.

This resulted in the vehicle’s speed being reduced, which enabled the pursuit to be brought to a safe conclusion.

At around the same time the stolen Audi was stopped, another stolen vehicle registered to the Republic, a Gold Range Rover, was found abandoned a short distance away.

The 15-year-old was arrested and has since been charged with a number of offences including taking a motor vehicle without authority, dangerous driving, and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

He has also been charged with failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, going equipped for theft and handling property stolen in the Republic of Ireland.

A 17-year-old passenger was also charged with handling property stolen in the Republic of Ireland and with going equipped for burglary.

They are both expected to appear before Newry Youth Court on 3 October.