4 days ago
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 He said the gun was originally made to fire blanks but it was converted to fire ammunition.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.
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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.
