19-07-2025
Man (39) who tried to detox while living in tent at beach sent to jail
The court heard that Shane McKenny 'desperately needs intervention' for addiction issues.
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
