Dad appeals to car thieves to return his son's 'freedom' after car stolen

Louise Walsh

A loving dad is appealing to car thieves to return the only mode of transport he has to bring his son, who has additional needs, to clinical appointments.

Stranded Gary Nolan is now appealing to the thieves to return his 171 Skoda Octavia, which was taken from outside his home at Whitehall in Dublin last week.

Gary gave up his job with Dublin Bus to be a full-time carer to his son, David, who has moderate to severe autism, ADHD, an intellectual disability and anxiety.

The 23-year-old needs full- time care, and Gary needed the car every day to take his son to various appointments and outdoor trips.

Thieves broke into his home in the early hours of Saturday, March 14th and stole his wife's handbag and the keys to the car.

"My wife thought I'd moved her handbag when she couldn't find it on the Saturday morning and then she noticed the car was gone. That's when the bottom of our world fell out," he said.

"People have been really good. I can't drive David to his daycare in Edenmore, which is about 40 minutes away so they are kindly coming to collect him. And people have offered me the use of their cars but I've terrible anxiety and would just worry in case I'd damage their car in some way. I'd be too nervous to drive anyone else's car."

David's needs are complex, and now that they don't have the freedom of leaving the house, Gary fears his own mental health is suffering.

"It really takes two people to take care of David so my wife only works part-time. He has begun to show self-injurious behaviour such as biting his arm or hitting his own head which is quite worrying.

"He had a routine and even just getting out for a drive was an escape for us. We used to drive him to a social club in Balbriggan or to visit his uncle in Co. Meath. We used the car to bring him to clinical appointments. There was always something to get him to.

"David wouldn't be able to use public transport, especially as we'd need to catch two buses to get him to some places. He doesn't understand theft. He keeps looking out the window and saying that the man will bring the car back soon."

"It's been a difficult road over the years and I'm on the verge of my mental health unravelling with everything now.

"The thieves didn't just take a car. They took our life and our freedom and I would ask them to please leave the car somewhere we can find it."

Anyone who sees a black Skoda Octavia 171 D 16702 is asked to report it to any garda station

Gardai say they are investigating 'a burglary at a house in Whitehall, Dublin 9, which occurred at around 3.30am on 14th March 2026. A car was taken from outside the property. Investigations are ongoing."