Latest news with #DundalkCircuitCourt
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Coalman convicted of Slane Castle killing had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house
Michael Hodgins, Pearse Park, Drogheda, could not account for bundles of money underneath a false step in stairs at his home, Dundalk Circuit Court heard. The case was heard in Dundalk Circuit Court. A CONVICTED killer who pleaded guilty to money laundering after €322,055 cash was uncovered hidden in his house has been remanded on continuing bail. Michael Hodgins (54), Pearse Park, Drogheda, could not account for the bundles of money found underneath a false step in stairs at his home, Dundalk Circuit Court heard. Hodgins was previously convicted of the manslaughter of Slane Castle gamekeeper Timothy Kidman for which he received a 12-year sentence in 1990. Judge Dara Hayes acceded to a defence application to adjourn sentence because Mr Hodgins' partner and mother of his seven-year-old son is undergoing residential drug treatment until August. Evidence was given that nobody was present when Gardaí arrived to search the Pearse Park house at 9.10am on June 5, 2020. Members of the Armed Support Unit gained entry. Read more Supergrass witness Jonathan Dowdall's former home is sold Officers found bundles of cash in two silver briefcases and a silver tin underneath a false step on stairs, as well as a mobile phone. The wooden step was held in place by magnets. Two days later Gardaí returned and arrested Mr Hodgins on suspicion of money laundering. He made no reply after caution. He had to be handcuffed before being brought to Drogheda Garda Station. He had no explanation for the cash. Details were given of previous convictions, including for manslaughter and for the possession and possession for sale or supply of drugs. He got a nine-year sentence for the drugs charges. Senior counsel Michael Hourigan, instructed by solicitor Michael Finucane, said the defendant also had two adult children. The mother of his seven-year-old was in residential drug treatment scheduled to finish in August. The court was asked that a custodial sentence not happen immediately. He had recently suffered a hand injury. He was a coalman and involved in the welfare of fishermen, counsel continued. Judge Hayes remarked that it was a significant quantity of cash in unexplained circumstances. He said that he would allow an adjournment for the defendant's partner to complete treatment. Mr Hodgins was remanded on the same bail terms to October 10. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Coalman convicted of Slane Castle manslaughter had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house
Michael Hodgins, Pearse Park, Drogheda, could not account for bundles of money underneath a false step in stairs at his home, Dundalk Circuit Court heard. The case was heard in Dundalk Circuit Court. A 54-year-old man who pleaded guilty to money laundering in respect of €322,055 cash hidden in his house has been remanded on continuing bail. Michael Hodgins, Pearse Park, Drogheda, could not account for bundles of money underneath a false step in stairs at his home, Dundalk Circuit Court heard. The defendant was previously convicted of the manslaughter of Slane Castle gamekeeper Timothy Kidman for which he received a 12-year sentence in 1990. Judge Dara Hayes acceded to a defence application to adjourn sentence because Mr Hodgins' partner and mother of his seven-year-old son is undergoing residential drug treatment until August. Evidence was given that nobody was present when Gardaí arrived to search the Pearse Park house at 9.10am on June 5, 2020. Members of the Armed Support Unit gained entry. Read more Supergrass witness Jonathan Dowdall's former home is sold Officers found bundles of cash in two silver briefcases and a silver tin underneath a false step on stairs, as well as a mobile phone. The wooden step was held in place by magnets. Two days later Gardaí returned and arrested Mr Hodgins on suspicion of money laundering. He made no reply after caution. He had to be handcuffed before being brought to Drogheda Garda Station. He had no explanation for the cash. Details were given of previous convictions, including for manslaughter and for the possession and possession for sale or supply of drugs. He got a nine-year sentence for the drugs charges. Senior counsel Michael Hourigan, instructed by solicitor Michael Finucane, said the defendant also had two adult children. The mother of his seven-year-old was in residential drug treatment scheduled to finish in August. The court was asked that a custodial sentence not happen immediately. He had recently suffered a hand injury. He was a coalman and involved in the welfare of fishermen, counsel continued. Judge Hayes remarked that it was a significant quantity of cash in unexplained circumstances. He said that he would allow an adjournment for the defendant's partner to complete treatment. Mr Hodgins was remanded on the same bail terms to October 10. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gravedigger who stored gun over drug debt learns his fate
A gravedigger caught 'red handed' storing a semi-automatic handgun and bullet over a drug debt and 'knew something dodgy was in the bag,' but didn't look in it, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. Eddie Thornton, of The Drive, Highlands in Drogheda, Co Louth was also in possession of a crossbow, crossbow arrows and a smoke bomb which he claimed he purchased at Jonesborough Market in Newry. The 36-year-old was also found in possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his home address when gardai searched it under warrant on February 7, 2020. He pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm and crossbow, possession of a firearm without a certificate, and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at The Drive, Highlands, on February 7, 2020. Other charges are to be taken into consideration. He has two previous convictions - one for burglary in 2012 where he got the Probation Act and one for careless driving in 2022 where he was fined €300. Earlier, Garda Paul Martin told Dundalk Circuit Court he was granted a warrant to search Thornton's family home. He located Thornton asleep in a 'granny flat' annex at the back of the house. When Gda Martin asked Thornton if he had anything illegal, the defendant pointed to a black bag and said 'It's over there.' Gda Martin discovered a semi-automatic handgun in a case in the bag and a single bullet in a box. He said the gun was originally made to fire blanks but it was converted to fire ammunition. 'It was functioning and in good condition,' said Gda Martin. A search of the main house was conducted and Gda Martin discovered €623 worth of cocaine and €318 of cannabis along with a Tick List and weighing scales in the kitchen. A Samsung S9 phone was also located with photos of guns on it and certain messages. One message said: 'At 6g bro you will be getting a bullet. Ring me,' Gda Martin said. The court also heard Thornton's sister's home was burnt down during the Drogheda drugs feud. Thornton told Gda Martin he owed €1,800 to drug dealers and 'agreed to hold the bag.' He later told gardai he had a 'debt of €6,000 to €7,000 on his head.' 'I knew it was dodgy but didn't know what was in it,' Thornton told gardai. He admitted he had a drug addiction but denied drug dealing. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Gda Martin agreed with defence counsel Vincent Heneghan that the crossbow and smoke bomb were not linked to the firearm and he had purchased them sometime beforehand and was using the crossbow in his back garden. 'He initially said he owed €1,800 but had a further debt of €6k or €7k placed on his head,' said Mr Heneghan, adding 'he was caught red handed.' 'He was using cocaine and cannabis since he was 14 and as soon as he got bail on these offences he hasn't touched cocaine since and has been off cannabis a year now. It was a complete eye-opener and a lesson,' said Mr Heneghan. A Probation Report was ordered prior to Thornton's sentencing. Judge Dara Hayes noted the report stated Thornton 'had a difficult childhood,' 'was unsupervised by his parents in his teen years and was using drugs since his teenage years.' The report also stated Thornton is 'remorseful and regretful.' 'The firearm was connected to serious criminality and although there was only one bullet, it's one bullet too many,' the judge said. The judge then imposed a five year and nine months sentence with the final three years suspended for three years. Thornton is also to engage with the Probation Services for 12 months on completion of his prison term.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth men attacked Gardaí to facilitate driver's escape
Jack Dawson (22), Rowan Heights, Marleys Lane, Drogheda, and Johnny Kelly (23), St Finian's Park, Drogheda, appeared before Dundalk Circuit Court having pleaded guilty. Evidence was heard previously that on December 31, 2021, Gardaí were after a stolen car driven by another man. When they attempted to apprehend this person they were surrounded by a group of youths. Jack Dawson punched and kicked an officer and shouted in his face, while Johnny Kelly got between a guard and the car driver and told the driver to run. He ripped the Garda's stab vest. Mr Dawson had 13 previous convictions, including four for assaulting Gardaí. He was described as 'a public order menace with a bad attitude to Gardaí'. The court had been told that he had changed and was working full-time as a scaffolder. He had been assessed at moderate risk of offending. He was drug-free and there has been a positive change in his attitude to Gardaí. The judge continued that this had been an attack on Gardaí to facilitate another man's escape from lawful custody. The guards were protecting the people of Drogheda from this car. Mr Dawson received 240 hours community service in lieu of three years imprisonment on a charge of violent disorder. For assaulting a peace officer in the execution of his duty a three-year sentence was imposed, suspended in its entirety with conditions. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Kelly was also before the court for sentencing on a separate incident of violent disorder which occurred at Wellington Quay on January 30, 2022 when three friends on their way home after a night out were set upon by another group of people in an unprovoked manner. He struck a male in the back of a head with a fish slice. The defendant had no previous convictions at the time. He now had five, four for Road Traffic matters, and none for offences of violence. The Probation Service had assessed him at moderate risk of reoffending. He lived at home and was long-term unemployed. Judge Hayes said he would deal with both incidents globally in respect of Mr Kelly. A sentence of four-and-a-half years was imposed, conditionally suspended for four-and-a-half years, on the same charges as Jack Dawson. For violent disorder at Wellington Quay, Johnny Kelly was ordered to complete 240 hours community service in lieu of four-and-a-half years imprisonment. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth mother who smashed glass over man's head sent to prison
Danielle Dullaghan, Simon Community, Barrack Street, Dundalk, has been in custody since April 8 last when her bail was revoked. She committed the robbery while on bail and for that offence received 21 months consecutive to two years for assaulting a male causing him harm, a total of 3 years and nine months. Judge Dara Hayes conditionally suspended the final 18 months and backdated the sentences to when the defendant went into custody. Evidence was heard previously that on April 3, 2022, a man had been out socialising. After 1am he went to Golden Chopsticks, Park Street and ordered food. Ms Dullaghan and another female came in while he was waiting. The man made a comment about the clothes one of them was wearing which was well received. However, the defendant than lunged at him and broke a glass over his head. He was pumping blood. An employee of the takeaway saw her strike the victim with the glass a number of times. The man was terrified. He sustained injuries to his forehead and scalp. Gardaí stopped Ms Dullaghan outside The Rum House further along Park Street. There was blood on her companion's jacket. She was arrested and made admissions. A knife was found on her. She was charged two days later. There was no Victim Impact Statement from the man who was left with 'minor residual scarring'. ADVERTISEMENT Ms Dullaghan had no previous convictions at the time but has since picked up convictions for public order and theft. Regarding the robbery, Dundalk Circuit Court heard that on June 1, 2024, a man was cycling home from work when two men and two women passed him on Avenue Road. One of the males pulled him off his bicycle. Money was demanded from him. The defendant was one of the two females who went through his bag. They took a small amount of money and a bank card which they used to make small purchases. It was accepted by Gardaí that a male co-accused was the main antagonist. As in the previous incident she was intoxicated at the time. Probation reports outlined that Danielle Dullaghan had been homeless after being asked to leave emergency accommodation. She had a chaotic upbringing and drank alcohol to cope with her father's death. She used cannabis as a teenager and for a short period took heroin and 'Crack'. The defendant was assessed at high risk of reoffending. She wanted to deal with issues and reengage with her children. In custody she was on methadone. She was attending school and working in the prison laundry. Judge Hayes said that the assault was unprovoked. A man had a glass smashed on his head. Ms Dullaghan acted in a group during the robbery which occurred while she was on bail. That was an aggravating factor. Sentences were imposed as outlined with other charges taken into consideration. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
