GAA TV volunteer caught with 100,000 counterfeit cigarettes in pub carpark avoids jail
Daire McKenna pleaded guilty to having tobacco which did not have the appropriate tax stamp attached
A 41-year-old man found with 100,000 counterfeit cigarettes in a pub carpark has avoided jail after he donated €5,000 to charity.
Daire McKenna, Pier Rampart, Derryadd, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, pleaded guilty to having tobacco which did not have the appropriate tax stamp attached. A second charge of evasion of Excise Duty was taken into consideration.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard how the defendant, an Armagh GAA TV volunteer who previously received a nine-year sentence for possession of explosives, drove into the car park of the Rosewood Country Club, Ravensdale, Dundalk and was stopped by Gardaí.
Det. Gda. Adrian Buckley gave evidence that this occurred at 5pm on October 29, 2020, and in the Volvo being driven by Mr McKenna boxes of cigarettes were located in the boot. A mobile phone and £900stg were also seized by Gardaí.
It was later established that the cigarettes were counterfeit, and that there was a potential €56,000 loss to the Exchequer.
An arrangement was later made for the father of two to attend a garda station voluntarily but he didn't turn up and was arrested on August 14, 2021 at Tayto Park and brought to Ashbourne Garda Station.
There were five previous convictions in Northern Ireland, including the nine-year term handed down in 2008 for possession of explosives with intent to endanger property and two convictions for each of common assault and obstructing police.
Daire McKenna
Counsel said that Mr McKenna was married 12 years and worked as a self-employed plasterer. He had taken on a second job as a driver.
He was a volunteer with Armagh GAA TV videoing and livestreaming matches, attending 200 games in the last two years.
The court was asked to consider a suspended sentence. He was a different man than five years ago, and willing to make a suggested financial contribution of €5,000.
On the adjourned date, the court was told that the defendant had taken out a Credit Union loan for the €5,000.
Judge Dara Hayes directed that it be given to Turas Addiction Services in Dundalk.
Read more Bomb plot GAA man jailed for CIRA explosives haul is 100k Smokey Bandit
Passing sentence, the judge said that aggravating factors were the serious nature of the offending and the quantity of cigarettes for which there was no innocent explanation. There were 100,000 counterfeit cigarettes, not just a few cartons.
This was clearly an attempt to some degree to trade in illicit cigarettes.
In mitigation, there was his remorse, plea of guilty and some form of restitution. There had been no subsequent adverse attention for coming on five years.
Judge Hayes imposed a 21-month sentence, suspended in its entirety for 21 months, on condition the defendant keeps the peace and is of good behaviour.
A forfeiture order was made for the £900 and the court ordered the destruction of the cigarettes and mobile phone.
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