Five youths have appeared in court after the car they were in failed to stop for police in County Donegal and crossed into Northern Ireland.
The teenagers, who cannot be named due to their age, face charges relating to an incident on January 4.
Four are charged with allowing themselves to be carried in a stolen vehicle and going equipped for theft.
The fifth, who is 16, is charged with a number of offences including aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.
He is also charged with going equipped for theft, driving while under the influence of drugs and having no licence or insurance.
He is further charged with criminal damage to a police cell after being taken into police custody.
The court heard that at 00:10 BST on January 4 the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were alerted by An Garda SÃochána (Irish police) about a vehicle failing to stop for gardaà in County Donegal.
The PSNI were given a description of the vehicle and a short time later the car was observed by officers in Sion Mills and a police pursuit ensued after it failed to stop for them.
The court heard that PSNI officers deployed a stinger device, which burst a tyre but the vehicle continued on for a time.
The car was said to have swerved over the road, crossing the central white lines before beginning to slow down.
Window smashed open
When it eventually came to a stop, officers attempted to open the doors but they were locked and a window had to be smashed.
The driver of the vehicle admitted smoking cannabis prior to driving and was then subsequently arrested along with his four co-accused.
A screwdriver was found in the front passenger footwell and pair of pliers was also located in the rear of the vehicle.
The driver of the car admitted stealing the car but denied going equipped for theft, instead claiming he found the screwdriver in the car which he used to start the ignition.
In relation to failing to stop, he contended he was under threat and said that he “didn’t believe police were police, as anyone could rob a police car and use it”.
It further emerged some of the youths are subject to care orders and currently reside in social services accommodation.
Bail was not opposed due to the young ages of the defendants, despite none having addresses in Northern Ireland.
District Judge Steven Keown agreed to release them all on bail, with some residing with their families and others in care accommodation.
The case was adjourned until 25 January.
