Dundalk court hears victim impact evidence in extortion sentencing case

A Dundalk Circuit Court hearing has heard victim impact evidence from Drogheda businessman Neil Kelly in the sentencing of three men who pleaded guilty to extortion-related offences.

The court was told Kelly had a pipe bomb and bullets left at his front door, and that he was threatened he would "end up like Kevin Lunny".

The hearing is taking place before Judge Dara Hayes.

Thomas O'Gorman, Francis O'Hanlon and Darren Cole each pleaded guilty to one count of demanding money with menaces.

Judge Hayes said their offending formed part of a "greater scheme of extraordinary intimidation" and indicated a custodial sentence was inevitable.

The three men were remanded in custody to be sentenced next month.

The court also heard evidence from Sergeant Aaron Gormley, who outlined the threats and the investigation to date.

The case matters because it centres on allegations of sustained intimidation linked to a business dispute that escalated into criminal threats.

The court heard the dispute arose after Kelly and O'Gorman, who had been ex-business partners, fell out over their shared business interests.

According to the evidence, Kelly and O'Gorman had owned Fusion Niteclub in Drogheda together.

Their relationship broke down and led to appearances before the commercial courts over the division of assets.

The court heard that in August 2023, while Kelly was in Spain at his stag party, his partner found an incendiary device and four bullets at the front door.

#DundalkCircuitCourt #NeilKelly #ThomasOGorman #FrancisOHanlon #DarrenCole #extortion #intimidation #Drogheda