Courts / Dublin / Report
Attempt to extort €25k from innocent family with false drug debt claim
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dylan Cronin, aged 20, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to three counts of demanding money with menace. Cronin and a second man had entered a family home at night, falsely claiming a child was involved in a €50,000 drug debt and demanding €25,000. The claim was proven false. The men returned twice more, damaging property and leaving threatening notes. Cronin admitted he was coerced and would receive €2,000–€3,000 for his involvement. The judge noted the offences were planned, occurred at night, and caused significant stress and fear for the family. The sentence included strict probation conditions for 18 months post‑release. The case remains under investigation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attempt to extort €25k from innocent family with false drug debt claim. Charges or matters: three counts of demanding money with menace at an address in Malahide, Co Dublin, on September 5, September 8 and September 11, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 5 Incident
- September 8 Incident
- September 11, 2020 Incident
- 2021-10-19 Publication
Why: Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that this claim was entirely false and had been concocted in order to attempt to gain the money. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: three counts of demanding money with menace at an address in Malahide, Co Dublin, on September 5, September 8 and September 11, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A man who took part in an attempt to extort €25,000 from a "completely blameless" family has been jailed for 18 months. Judge Ryan sentenced Cronin to three years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Grange Abbey Crescent
- Donaghmede
- Dublin
- Pieta House
Topics
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