Dundalk court: Jailed for dangerous driving and criminal damage

A drug addict who relapsed after an accident at work, was jailed for a total of six months at Dundalk District Court last week.

The court heard that Stephen McVeigh (42) of Commons Road, Dromiskin was seen climbing out of an apartment Táin Court on September 29th last and was in possession of a bag of property.

On October 28th 2022, he was found in possession of €10 worth of cocaine, arising out of an dangerous driving incident on the Haggardstown Road, where he came to garda attention as he was driving with no lights on.

Sometime between that date and November 6th last year a house rented by students in College Manor was broken into.

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Nothing was taken but internal door frames were damaged from the defendant forcing entry into bedrooms.

The 42 year old was also found in possession of a stolen TV and play station game on December 28th.

Mr McVeigh has 54 previous convictions, but his solicitor stressed that one, where a four month sentence was imposed, is ‘on appeal’ and the rest dated back to 2016.

He added his client is a good achiever with a good work record, but he fell victim to drug abuse and drug taking.

Things appeared to have settled down and he resumed a relationship with his family and all went well until February when he suffered an injury at work and became downbeat.

The solicitor said his client has been engaging with drugs counselling while in custody and has been spending his time usefully and asked that any sentences be backdated to February 10th.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a four month sentence and a four year ban for dangerous driving and a two month consecutive sentence for the criminal damage charge.