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'Henchman' in €20k extortion attempt on two innocent people is jailed

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Des Smyth, aged 25, pleaded guilty to making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. He and a co‑accused attempted to extort €20,000 from two unrelated victims: a man whose half‑brother was a drug dealer and his employer. CCTV showed Smyth and the co‑accused arriving at the first victim's workplace, demanding money and threatening to slit the victim's children's throats if the money was not paid. The victims had no connection to the drug trade. Gardaí identified the suspects through CCTV and confidential information. Smyth was described by the judge as a henchman in an extortion attempt. He received a sentence of four years, with the final 18 months suspended for three years to support his drug rehabilitation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Henchman' in €20k extortion attempt on two innocent people is jailed. Charges or matters: charges of making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 20, 2020 Other
• 2025-01-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report