#Joyride - Two men appeared in court in Dublin yesterday (Thursday 1 June) over a boat chase on the River Liffey that surprised early morning commuters in the capital.

Brian Stacey and Ronan Stephens, both of Crumlin in south-west Dublin, face a number of charges relating to theft of a pleasure craft and boating under the influence of alcohol, according to The Irish Times.

Dun Laoghaire RNLI and the Dublin Fire Brigade were among the emergency services that responded to the incident around 6am yesterday after the €11,000 boat was taken from Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, which is preparing for this bank holiday weekend’s Dublin Riverfest.

The Irish Independent reports that a number of men on board the boat taunted those chasing them as they drove erratically through the Dublin Port shipping lanes east of the Eastlink Bridge, interfering with the passage of a cruise liner.

The boat was then pursued further up the Liffey, where it was finally halted at St John Rogerson’s Quay.

Both men arrested after the incident have been released on bail.