Prisoner who walked out of Shelton Abbey fined for escaping custody
The Wicklow PeopleA convicted drug dealer who walked out of Shelton Abbey open prison before later presenting himself at another prison has been fined €750
Denis Hollman (33), of St Bridget’s Road, Co Galway, appeared for sentencing at a sitting of Arklow District Court.
The accused pleaded guilty to one count of escaping from custody.
Sergeant Mick Canavan told the court that on November 21, 2024, staff at Shelton Abbey Prison, an open low security facility for males aged 19 and over located in Arklow, carried out their daily prisoner count and Mr Hollman was present.
However, at 9.45pm staff conducted a second count and he was no longer present. Staff searched the prison grounds but the defendant “was nowhere to be found”.
Hollman later presented himself at Midlands Prison, where he had previously been serving a three-year sentence for drug offences before being transferred to the open facility.
The court heard that Mr Hollman has 32 previous convictions, including several for drug offences.
Solicitor for the accused said he was instructed that his client had been bullied while in Shelton Abbey, which led him to walk out and hand himself back into custody at Midlands Prison. He received an extra 15 days added to his sentence for absconding.
Since his release he has worked as a warehouse operative and is the father of four young children.
Judge David Kennedy remarked that Mr Hollman “should have gone through the proper channels” and fined the accused €750.