Louth man (30) jailed for possession of a Stanley blade at a garda station

Gardaí recovered a Public Services Card in another man's name, a One4All gift card and a Phillipine 1,000 peso note, when they saw a man pacing up and down a road in the town, Dundalk District Court was told last week.

Shane McKenny (30) of St Joseph's Homeless Aid, North Strand, Drogheda went into custody when he appeared before Ardee district court the previous Friday.

The Dundalk court heard last Wednesday that he was stopped and searched on Rampart Lane on May 1st last, as it was believed he was concealing something and Gardaí also found €10 worth of cannabis when he was subsequently searched while in custody at Dundalk Garda Station.

He also stole €146 worth of perfumes and aftershave from All Care Pharmacy in Dunleer on February 17th last year, and was found asleep on a table in McDonald's, Stapleton Drive on April 29th last when gardaí responded to a report of an intoxicated man on the premises.

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He verbally abused one officer calling him a "scumbag b******" and told him "I'm drinking my latté" and after he was cautions responded with "F*** you you dirty p****"

Court Presenter Sgt. Richie Browne said the defendant actively resisted arrest and had to be restrained.

On June 7th last he stole clothing from Sports Direct, Dundalk Retail Park but was stopped by security in the car park and the goods were recovered. Mr McKenny ran off and returned to the store later in the day and was detained by security until gardaí arrived.

He also caused a total of €450 worth of damage when he smashed the windows of a Mercedes 4X$ and a Ford Fiesta on Francis Street on April 30th when gardaí responded to a report of a man carrying a wooden pallet around 4.20am.

The defendant also stole an iPad, a speaker, a laptop and a pair of Nike runners when he used a brick to smash the window of a car at the Imperial Hotel on April 28th around 6.30pm.

He also stole two electric toothbrushes worth €184 from Tesco Longwalk Shopping Centre on June sixth last, but the property was recovered when he was approached by security staff.

The court heard he had 96 previous convictions including 23 for theft and two for criminal damage.

The Defence barrister said his client's addiction issues were at the root of his offending and he urged the court to structure a sentence in such a way that he would get the necessary supports saying he "needs intervention to deal with those difficulties".

He added Mr. McKenny had been living in a tent by the beach in an attempt to detox and was taking positive steps in engaging with drug outreach services. He explained that his client's sister had arranged a meeting that day with Tig Linn (a charity that helps people overcome addiction, homelessness and other life-controlling issues)

The lawyer concluded by saying "ultimately in order to be a more prosocial member of society it is imperative that Mr McKenny engage in those supports".

Judge Nicola Andrews said the defendant has been given chance after chance and she could not ignore his substantial criminal record, but she added she would give him credit for his guilty pleas.

She imposed an eight month sentence, with the final two months suspended for possessing a Stanley blade at Drogheda Garda Station on May 26th last and a six month consecutive sentence for getting into a vehicle without the consent of the owner at Hardman's Gardens, Drogheda.