Courts / Dublin / Report

'Misplaced loyalty' leads to year in jail

Date
2021-12-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Mountjoy

County
Dublin

Summary

Gavin Challenger, 27, of Sillogue Green, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and unlawful intimidation after damaging a white Renault Master van and attacking its owner, Jason O'Byrne, with a hatchet on 21 March 2020. CCTV showed Challenger and a co‑accused, a lifelong friend, causing the damage and threatening O'Byrne. Challenger admitted taking "tablets" that day and had 71 prior convictions. He was on bail for 14 months for a drug offence and had previously served a sentence in Mountjoy. Judge Pauline Codd, noting his guilty plea, remorse and potential for rehabilitation, sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended for the damage charge, and two years for intimidation with the final year suspended, both running concurrently. The suspended periods are conditional on good behaviour, supervision and drug testing upon release.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Misplaced loyalty' leads to year in jail. Charges or matters: one count of criminal damage and one charge of unlawful intimidation at Plunkett Avenue, Finglas, on March 21, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 21, 2020 Incident
2021-12-10 Publication

Case subjects

Gavin Challenger

Defendant

Charges: one count of criminal damage and one charge of unlawful intimidation at Plunkett Avenue, Finglas, on March 21, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She sentenced Challenger to three years in prison with the final two years suspended on the count of criminal damage. She also sentenced him to two years imprisonment with the final year suspended for the charge of unlawful intimidation, with both sentences running concurrently.