Courts / Louth / Report

Accused said to have 'packed bags' has bail money forfeited

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 24 March 2020, Dean Thornton, aged 22 and from Moneymore, Drogheda, had his bail forfeited after evidence that he had packed his bags and sought a replacement passport, indicating an intention to leave the jurisdiction. Thornton, charged with false imprisonment and assault causing harm on 11 November 2018, had previously been granted bail on a €1,000 bond with €500 lodged under conditions, including surrendering his passport. In January he applied for a new passport, which was recovered from him in early February. Judge Paul Coffey described the application as "particularly egregious" and, citing the packed bags, ordered the forfeiture of the entire bail amount. The court left Thornton's independent surety of €4,000, with €2,000 lodged by his aunt, untouched, as no evidence linked her to the alleged actions. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel noted that forfeiture was not deemed harsh in this case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused said to have 'packed bags' has bail money forfeited. Charges or matters: false imprisonment and assault causing harm to another man at Moneymore, in Drogheda on November 11, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 11, 2018 Incident
• 2020-03-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report