Latest news with #DundalkCircuitCourt
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Man jailed for sexually assaulting young niece he plied with drink and drugs
Her father said to delete the videos and tell no one. He asked her not to call gardaí A 49-year-old man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for sexually assaulting his niece when she had an overnight stay at her father's house on St. Stephen's Day. The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault which occurred at his brother's home on December 27, 2022. He rubbed the then 16-year-old's arm, pulled at her top and touched her thighs having given her drink and drugs which made her feel nauseous and 'woozy'. Dundalk Circuit Court heard that the teenager recorded what happened on her phone. The investigating garda said that she viewed 27 video clips during which the young lady could be heard saying 'no' 61 times. Judge Dara Hayes said that what the man did 'can only be described as grooming behaviour' as he imposed concurrent four-year sentences, the final six months conditionally suspended. Det Gda Gemma Crampsie gave evidence that the girl's father allowed her to drink vodka and Coke before he went upstairs to bed. She remained with her uncle. He allowed her more drinks which he made. He also gave her a can of vodka mix and alcohol from a blue bottle. The accused gave her cannabis to smoke. She then handed it back and refused further offers. The young woman told him that she had never taken cocaine. He put some on a key in front of her face a number of times. She felt nauseous and 'woozy'. Det Gda Crampsie said that the victim took videos on her phone. From watching them it was very evident that she was 'extremely intoxicated'. At one stage she vomited on the floor. The defendant cleaned it up. He told her that she was beautiful and had a lovely body. She had to keep correcting him that she was 16 not 17. He asked to see her navel piercing and then her body. He asked about her sexual experience. Det Gda Crampsie said that she viewed 27 videos. A transcript of them was a 'hard read'. It detailed what he wanted to do to his niece and the questions he asked her. She said 'no' 61 times and tried to push him away and shut down the conversation 'in every single recording'. He gave her cocaine and Xanax. The sentence hearing was told that her father came back downstairs and asked what she was still doing up. His daughter took the opportunity to leave the room and eventually went to bed. She watched the videos to confirm what happened to her and the following morning called her mother to pick her up. The victim was crying and hyperventilating. She showed the video of the defendant giving her cocaine. Her father said to delete the videos and tell no one. He asked her not to call gardaí. Her mother realised she was 'under the influence' when she drove her home. They called to Navan Garda Station and the matter was referred to the Protective Services Unit. In a Victim Impact Statement the teen said that her uncle touched her where he shouldn't have. She recorded what happened because she felt unsafe. She regrets ever going to the house. The relationship with her father was ruined. She was more angry at his brother. She was no longer trusting, wanted to be at home and avoided crowds. She suffered panic attacks and anxiety. The young woman continued that she did a good Junior Cert but was no longer interested in school, 'the opposite of the girl I was'. The court heard that the accused gave three 'no comment' interviews to gardaí. The DPP directed summary disposal of the case. The district court refused jurisdiction. Judge Hayes remarked it was 'somewhat surprising' that a direction was given for summary disposal. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, August 5th Defence counsel said that this was a huge breach of trust. The provision of intoxicants were aggravating factors. It was submitted that the physical assaults were 'at the lower end'. The defendant, a father, had written a letter of apology and acknowledged his guilt. He was remorseful and ashamed of what occurred. Judge Hayes said that the conversation the defendant engaged in can only be described as 'pornographic in the extreme'. The language was sexually explicit. The victim was disgusted by his advances. He rubbed her arm, pulled at her top and touched her thighs. The next morning, she thankfully didn't take her father's advice to delete the videos. Judge Hayes continued that the long-term impact cannot be known after sexual offences on children. The defendant had supplied alcohol and drugs to his underage niece. She was a child and highly intoxicated at his hands. "I don't see it in the lower range of offending. All sexual assaults are serious offending.' The victim was not present but her mother was. Judge Hayes said that he was very sorry that she had to be in court and listen to the evidence. What happened should never have happened. The judge wished them both well. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth man jailed for sexually assaulting niece he plied with drink and drugs on St Stephen's night
The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault which occurred at his brother's home on December 27, 2022. He rubbed the then 16-year-old's arm, pulled at her top and touched her thighs having given her drink and drugs which made her feel nauseous and 'woozy'. Dundalk Circuit Court heard that the teenager recorded what happened on her phone. The investigating garda said that she viewed 27 video clips during which the young lady could be heard saying 'no' 61 times. Judge Dara Hayes said that what the man did 'can only be described as grooming behaviour' as he imposed concurrent four-year sentences, the final six months conditionally suspended. Det Gda Gemma Crampsie gave evidence that the girl's father allowed her to drink vodka and Coke before he went upstairs to bed. She remained with her uncle. He allowed her more drinks which he made. He also gave her a can of vodka mix and alcohol from a blue bottle. The accused gave her cannabis to smoke. She then handed it back and refused further offers. The young woman told him that she had never taken cocaine. He put some on a key in front of her face a number of times. She felt nauseous and 'woozy'. Det Gda Crampsie said that the victim took videos on her phone. From watching them it was very evident that she was 'extremely intoxicated'. At one stage she vomited on the floor. The defendant cleaned it up. ADVERTISEMENT He told her that she was beautiful and had a lovely body. She had to keep correcting him that she was 16 not 17. He asked to see her navel piercing and then her body. He asked about her sexual experience. Det Gda Crampsie said that she viewed 27 videos. A transcript of them was a 'hard read'. It detailed what he wanted to do to his niece and the questions he asked her. She said 'no' 61 times and tried to push him away and shut down the conversation 'in every single recording'. He gave her cocaine and Xanax. The sentence hearing was told that her father came back downstairs and asked what she was still doing up. His daughter took the opportunity to leave the room and eventually went to bed. She watched the videos to confirm what happened to her and the following morning called her mother to pick her up. The victim was crying and hyperventilating. She showed the video of the defendant giving her cocaine. Her father said to delete the videos and tell no one. He asked her not to call gardaí. Her mother realised she was 'under the influence' when she drove her home. They called to Navan Garda Station and the matter was referred to the Protective Services Unit. In a Victim Impact Statement the teen said that her uncle touched her where he shouldn't have. She recorded what happened because she felt unsafe. She regrets ever going to the house. The relationship with her father was ruined. She was more angry at his brother. She was no longer trusting, wanted to be at home and avoided crowds. She suffered panic attacks and anxiety. The young woman continued that she did a good Junior Cert but was no longer interested in school, 'the opposite of the girl I was'. The court heard that the accused gave three 'no comment' interviews to gardaí. The DPP directed summary disposal of the case. The district court refused jurisdiction. Judge Hayes remarked it was 'somewhat surprising' that a direction was given for summary disposal. Defence counsel said that this was a huge breech of trust. The provision of intoxicants were aggravating factors. It was submitted that the physical assaults were 'at the lower end'. The defendant, a father, had written a letter of apology and acknowledged his guilt. He was remorseful and ashamed of what occurred. Judge Hayes said that the conversation the defendant engaged in can only be described as 'pornographic in the extreme'. The language was sexually explicit. The victim was disgusted by his advances. He rubbed her arm, pulled at her top and touched her thighs. The next morning, she thankfully didn't take her father's advice to delete the videos. Judge Hayes continued that the long-term impact cannot be known after sexual offences on children. The defendant had supplied alcohol and drugs to his underage niece. She was a child and highly intoxicated at his hands. "I don't see it in the lower range of offending. All sexual assaults are serious offending.' The victim was not present but her mother was. Judge Hayes said that he was very sorry that she had to be in court and listen to the evidence. What happened should never have happened. The judge wished them both well.
Sunday World
12-07-2025
- 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
12-07-2025
- 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
11-07-2025
- 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.
