Louth man who broke into parked car had a blade and black gloves

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 24-year-old man ran from gardaí after exiting a parked car he had broken into, the district court has heard.

Aaron McKeown McEntee, Glengat House B&B, The Crescent, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from the incident last year.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was found to have a blade and black gloves on him when caught.

Gda Paul Smith gave evidence that on April 25, 2024, he responded to a report of a man breaking into a car.

At Rampart Mill, Rampart Road, he saw the defendant get out of the front passenger seat and run away.

Mr McKeown McEntee was apprehended after a short foot chase and arrested.

He was searched. He had a small blade and black gloves.

The defendant made a voluntary cautionary statement. He said it was a shaving blade.

Solicitor Fergal Boyle said that his client, a father of one, was addicted to tablets at the time. He had since taken steps and was getting drugs counselling.

Mr McKeown McEntee, in receipt of social welfare, accepted that he couldn’t be carrying blades around. It was never his intention to use it.

Judge Michael Ramsey imposed a €250 fine for getting into a stationary vehicle without consent. The possession of a blade charge was taken into consideration, and an order made for its destruction.