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Drogheda man found covered in kerosene outside home of 90-year-old woman is jailed

Dane Flood was located after neighbours became concerned on seeing him standing outside holding a pair of vice grips

Drogheda Independent

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A 35-year-old man found covered in kerosene at the home of a 90-year-old woman, has been jailed for six months.

Dane Flood was located at an address in Drogheda after neighbours became concerned on seeing him standing outside holding a pair of vice grips.

The defendant, of Scarlet Crescent, Drogheda, was convicted of damaging a kerosene fuel tank and having vice grips used in connection with theft on the morning of 21 May 2022.

Last July, the elderly lady’s grandson gave evidence that it was brought to his attention by a neighbour that a man was standing outside the house with vice grips.

This person was covered in kerosene, the witness continued. There was a significant amount of oil spilled from his grandmother’s tank and a lot of damage caused.

A pipe had been loosened and a wheelie bin placed under it. There was kerosene in the bin.

The defendant suggested he had been trying to fix it, but the man said that nothing was broken the night before.

A garda said that the incident was reported at 9.10am. At the scene Mr Flood was cautioned. He replied, ‘I did it. I was supposed to be there clearing gutters’.

On that occasion Mr Flood, who has previous convictions, made no appearance and a bench warrant was issued for sentence.

He appeared in custody at Drogheda Court last week and pleaded guilty to charges resulting from separate incidents.

Evidence was given that on 3 March 2022 at Scarlet Street he had €20-worth of cocaine and diamorphine.

On the following 4 October he stole two bottles of wine and a bottle of Coke, valued €120.68, at Maxol, Ballymakenny Road.

Gardaí removed him from a property in Cherrybrook Drive on 16 February last. The defendant was searched, and a knife found on him.

The court also heard that on 22 March he took a €38.50 bottle of Hennessy from Tesco, West Street, without paying, while at 9am on 23 April gardaí received a report of a man and woman arguing at Lower Mell.

They continued to argue in front of gardaí and refused to desist.

Mr Flood also took two bottles of Jameson, worth €90, from Tesco, West Street on 25 July.

Solicitor Paddy Goodwin said his client had been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin. He instructed that he was now ‘completely clean’.

He suffered personal tragedies during the time of this offending and had a serious drink problem.

Mr Flood has been in custody since 9 August, the solicitor added.

Judge McKiernan remarked that the court was sympathetic to his circumstances.

However, it was ‘very inappropriate behaviour’ at the home of the elderly lady.

For that incident, consecutive four-month and two-month sentences were imposed, backdated to 9 August.

The other charges were taken into consideration.

Legal aid was granted.