Serial offender who targeted Louth shops has jail time extended
A 24-year-old man who at one time had a €100 per-day cocaine habit has had his time in prison extended after pleading guilty to a string of shopliting offences throughout Co. Louth and other charges.
Aaron Reilly, Simon Community, Dundalk, appeared before the district court via video link. He has 56 previous convictions and is serving a circuit court sentence.
Evidence was given that he targetted shops in Dundalk, Drogheda, Castlebellingham, Dunleer and Ardee.
On August 16, 2024, he was with another man in The Mariner, North Quay, Drogheda. They ordered food and drink before leaving without settling a €104.50 bill.
He was threatening to staff before being approached by the manager on the street. He fled.
On New Year’s Day, 2025, CCTV showed Mr Reilly getting into the driver’s side of car in Dundalk.
He was a passenger in this stolen vehicle being driven by a female when it was later stopped in Castleblayney.
On the following January 20, Dundalk Gardaí received an anonymous report of an armed man in the Marshes Shopping Centre.
He was escorted off the premises by security staff and spotted dropping a red-handled Stanley-type kinife into a bin.
Solicitor Dermot Monahan said that at its height Mr Reilly had a €100 per-day cocaine habit. He also mis-used “street tablets” and alcohol. He had engaged with The Red Door and completed courses.
He had little recollecetion of this “terrible litany of charges”.
The court heard that they were committed while the defendant was on bail for an attempted armed hijacking of a taxi for which he received 3 years and 3 months, the final 18 months, suspended, in the circuit court last November.
Judge Derek Cooney imposed a nine-month jail term, consecutive to the sentence being served.