Man (39) who tried to detox while living in tent at beach sent to jail
A 39-year-old man has been jailed for a total of 12 months when he appeared via video link and pleaded guilty to charges resulting from separate incidents throughout Co. Louth.
Shane McKenny, St Joseph's Homeless Aid, North Strand, Drogheda, has 96 previous convictions.
The court heard that he 'desperately needs intervention' for addiction issues.
He was living in a tent by the beach to detoxify and accepted that was not how he would ultimately deal with his addiction.
Evidence was given that on February 17, 2024, at Allcare Pharmacy, Main Street, Dunleer, he stole perfume and aftershave worth €145.
On April 28 last, he smashed the window of a car parked outside the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk and took property worth more than €2,000 which included a laptop, iPad and pair of runners.
The incident was captured on CCTV.
The next day, at McDonald's, Stapleton Drive, Dundalk, he was asleep on a table.
When awoken, he said: 'F**k you, scumbag bastards. I'm drinking my latte.'
He was arrested and cautioned by Gardaí, and replied: 'F**k you, you dirty prick.'
Mr McKenny actively resisted arrest and had to be restrained.
And the day after, the court heard, he was spotted carrying a wooden pallet at 4.20am in Francis Street, Dundalk. Windows of a Mercedes jeep and Ford Fiesta had been smashed.
The defendant got in trouble for the fourth successive day when at 2.15pm on May 1 gardaí spotted him on Rampart Lane, Dundalk.
He was searched and concealed down his trousers were a public services card and a 1000 Filipino peso note. A further search at the garda station yielded a €10 bag of cocaine.
On June 6 last, Mr McKenny took two electric toothbrushes worth €184 from Tesco, Longwalk Shopping Centre, Dundalk. He was apprehended by security staff.
The next day he was again nabbed by security in the carpark after swiping clothing valued €310 from Sports Direct, Dundalk Retail Park.
While the property was recovered, he ran off before returning later in the day when security staff detained him.
Of 96 previous convictions, 23 were for theft and two for criminal damage.
Barrister Eoghan Fagan, instructed by solicitor Dermot Monahan, said that the underlying theme was the defendant's intoxication and addiction difficulties.
He hadn't taken steps to address this and desperately needed intervention.
Mr McKenny had accrued warrants. He was living in a tent by the beach to detoxify. He accepted that was not how he would ultimately deal with his addiction.
He was scheduled to have a meeting about securing residential treatment. It was imperative for him to engage with those supports.
Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that she had given him 'chance after chance' but it hadn't had the desired effect.
An eight-month sentence, the final two months suspended for 12 months, was imposed on a charge of possession of a flick knife at Drogheda Garda Station, consecutive to six months for getting into a stationary car at Hardman's Gardens, Drogheda, on May 23 last.
Other charges were taken into consideration and legal aid granted.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Police spring into action as around 100 hooligans clash with rival fans before Spanish clash
POLICE were forced to spring into action after close to "100" football hooligans ran riot at a Spanish pre-season friendly. CD Tenerife and UD Las Palmas locked horns in a tasty pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon. 3 The pre-season friendly between Tenerife and Las Palmas was marred by violence before the match Credit: EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE 3 Reports claim Las Palmas fans attacked their counterparts, with footage showing barriers being thrown by louts Credit: EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE But the Canary Islands derby was marred by truly disgraceful scenes before kick-off. Footage on social media showed a slew of football hooligans abandoning their seats and attempting to storm another stand. According to El Partidazo de Cope, the footage showed travelling Las Palmas hooligans leaving their designated seating area to try to attack home fans. Las Palmas louts appeared to launch missiles at the home supporters, with some even attempting to chuck barriers past their counterparts. READ MORE SPORTS NEWS LEGEND SCARE Bayern legend and president Uli Hoeness rushed to hospital after falling ill Spanish police and La Guardia Civil, thankfully, raced onto the scene and stopped the chaos from spreading. Videos of the disgraceful incident spread like wildfire on social media. One viewer said of the scenes said: "Morons being morons." Another said: "There are fools everywhere!!" SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 3 Spanish police and La Guardia Civil had to step in and halt the violence Credit: EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE And another said: "But these kinds of people are never stopped. I don't understand anything." One remarked: "The field is not suitable for this type of match and the security operation is even less so." Barcelona coach SMASHES IPAD in fury as he appeals for penalty in La Liga clash Another chimed in: "Regrettable scenes before the Canary Islands derby." The Teide Trophy clash ended in a 1-1 draw and went to penalties. Tenerife emerged from the shootout victorious, getting their hands on the trophy and earning bragging rights with a 4-1 win.
The Journal
31-07-2025
- The Journal
Scottish man pleads guilty to conspiring to import drugs into Ireland
A SCOTTISH MAN who was charged with conspiring to bring a large quantity of drugs into Ireland has pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court. Before the non-jury, three-judge court today, Ryan Watson (32), of Mailerbeg Gardens, Modiesburn, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to a charge that he conspired with others on dates between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, both dates inclusive, within and outside the State, to import controlled drugs worth in excess of €13,000. Advertisement The matter has been put back for mention to 20 October next, on which date a probation report, governor's report, an education report, and urinalysis have all been requested by the court. A co-accused, Conor Costello (31), of Earhart Park, Madamsbank Road, Derry in Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to the same charge earlier this month. The other men charged with the same offence are Gary Monks (40) of Amulree Place, Glasgow, Scotland; Miljan Koprivica (45) of Bollin Drive, Manchester; and three Filipino men, Hanz Pangahin (36), Christopher Ampo (44) and Feljon Lao (62). Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
26-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man with ‘dreadful record' broke into hotel room while two elderly women were there
Details were given of 92 previous convictions against Lawrence Mubango, a father of one. A burglar who spent approximately 20 minutes in a Dundalk hotel room while two elderly women were present before making off with cash and clothing has been jailed for eight months. Passing sentence, Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that Lawrence Mubango (36), of no fixed abode, had a 'dreadful record'. He appeared via video link having a week earlier pleaded guilty to burglary at the Imperial Hotel on March 30 last. The case had been adjourned for gardaí to canvass Victim Impact Statements. The district court was told that the two women were uncontactable. Details were given of 92 previous convictions against Mr Mubango, a father of one. These included assault causing serious harm for which he received a 10-year sentence in 2019; theft and forgery. Solicitor Carol Slattery said that her client had spent considerable time in custody previously after which he struggled to integrate back into society. He was 'quite a bright young man' doing well in prison and was one module away from a Degree. The defendant was anxious to move on. He had been unable to attend his eight-year-old son's First Communion. Judge Andrews said that the nature of the offence was 'quite troubling'. When anyone checked into a hotel they were entitled to security and not have have someone sneak into their room. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - July 26th It was quite aggravating and had an appalling impact on two elderly guests. It was at the upper end, the judge continued. An eight-month sentence was imposed, backdated to April 1 last. The court had heard evidence that Lawrence Mubango was neither a resident nor a guest when he entered a third floor bedroom of the town centre hotel at 3.20am. He was there approximately 20 minutes while the two ladies were present. He stole €500 cash, items of clothing and a purse. He exited the room and hotel at 3.38am. Neither the cash nor purse were recovered. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
