Dublin car dealer and salesman convicted over written-off cars sold as sound
Dealer Brian Healy and salesman Andrius Miliauskas pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to misleading buyers about written-off cars in a Competition and Consumer Protection Commission prosecution.
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The story, neutrally told
A car dealer and a salesman were convicted at Dublin District Court on Wednesday 30 September 2026 of selling previously written-off cars that had been "spiced up" and sold to customers in Dublin. The Irish TimesLC “A car dealer and his salesmen have been convicted of selling previously written-off cars that were “spiced up” and sold to unsuspecting customers in Dublin.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Irish IndependentRC “Car dealer and salesman convicted over selling ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles” Read at Irish Independent ↗ Brian Healy, owner of Lucan Auto Sales on Lucan Road, and salesman Andrius Miliauskas were prosecuted by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for misleading practices. The Irish TimesLC “were prosecuted by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for misleading practices.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ They pleaded guilty to a combined 10 charges under sections 47 and 79 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007. The Irish TimesLC “The co-defendants pleaded guilty to a combined 10 charges contrary to sections 47 and 79 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Judge Anthony Halpin said buyers had been "completely deceived" and that routine NCT tests may not detect such defects, while a highway breakdown could have had fatal consequences. The Irish TimesLC “Judge Anthony Halpin said buyers had been “completely deceived” by Healy”“a breakdown on the highway could have had fatal consequences for occupants or other road users.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Healy, who had no prior convictions, was ordered to pay a €1,500 fine, €3,567 in costs and €1,994 in compensation, with six months to pay. The Irish TimesLC “Healy, who had no prior convictions, was ordered to pay a €1,500 fine, €3,567 in costs and €1,994 in compensation, with six months to pay.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Miliauskas, who still owes money from an earlier conviction for misleading a car buyer, got a four-month prison sentence, appealed and was released on €5,000 bail. The Irish TimesLC “was sentenced to four months in prison, but lodged an appeal and was released on bail set at €5,000.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
The court heard the case arose from a CCPC investigation into 2023 and 2024 transactions, including a 2016 Ford Focus bought for €11,500 after a DoneDeal advert. The Irish TimesLC “The court heard the case arose from a CCPC investigation into transactions in 2023 and 2024.”“one complainant bought a 2016-registered Ford Focus for €11,500 after seeing it advertised on DoneDeal.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Prosecutors said Miliauskas did not disclose the car's write-off status, said only minor items had been fixed and denied any crash even after the buyer's insurer reported a March 2023 write-off; the buyer's net loss was just under €2,000. The Irish TimesLC “Miliauskas did not disclose its prior write-off status.”“leaving him facing a net loss of just under €2,000.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Irish Times gives a detailed court report, leading with the buyer's experience and the judge's remarks on safety.
- Emphasis
- Sentences, the Ford Focus case details, the salesman's denials and the buyer's financial loss.
- Leaves out or plays down
- None evident against the other outlet's brief item.
- Charged language
- “spiced up”“completely deceived”
- For example
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“Buyer’s insurance company notified him a vehicle he bought for €11,500 was a recorded write-off following a crash in 2023” — The Irish Times
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The Irish Independent headlines the conviction of the dealer and salesman; the text available for its page is a short item that does not give further detail.
- Emphasis
- The conviction and the 'spiced up' description.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Sentences, charges, judge's remarks and the complainant's account appear in the Irish Times report but not in the Independent material.
- Charged language
- “spiced up”
- For example
-
“Car dealer and salesman convicted over selling ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles” — Irish Independent
What every side reports
- A car dealer and a salesman were convicted over selling written-off cars described as 'spiced up'.
- The sales were to customers in Dublin.
Brian Healy person
Healy, owner of Lucan Auto Sales, pleaded guilty and was fined; he had no prior convictions.
“Healy, who had no prior convictions, was ordered to pay a €1,500 fine” — The Irish Times
Andrius Miliauskas person
Miliauskas pleaded guilty, was sentenced to four months and has appealed.
“was sentenced to four months in prison, but lodged an appeal and was released on bail set at €5,000.” — The Irish Times
Left1 article
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Car dealer and salesman convicted over ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles
Neutral Straight court report stressing deception of buyers and safety risk.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
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Car dealer and salesman convicted over selling ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles
Neutral Brief headline-led report of the convictions.
- 30 Sep 12:59 First Irish IndependentRC Car dealer and salesman convicted over selling ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles
- 30 Sep 17:50 +4h 52m The Irish TimesLC Car dealer and salesman convicted over ‘spiced up’ written-off vehicles
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.