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Convicted murderer tried to smuggle drugs into prison while on temporary release

Keogh, formally with an address in Finglas, received a life sentence back in 2006 after he was convicted by a jury of the murder of Peter Mitchell

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A convicted killer caught with cannabis and sleeping tablets when he was on temporary release from prison has received a six month sentence.

Alan Keogh (51) was brought back early to Wheatfield Prison after prison officers became aware of suspicious activity between him and a number of other people.

Keogh was searched when he was returned to the prison, and he was found with cannabis, with a street value of €1,752, and sleeping tablets, valued at €1,392.

Judge David McHugh imposed a six month sentence.

The judge said he could not impose a consecutive sentence because the defendant was already serving life.

Keogh admitted attempting to bring a controlled drug into a prison.

Garda Ciara Mearns told Blanchardstown District Court that Keogh was out on temporary release from Wheatfield on September 1, 2022.

Gda Mearns said Keogh had been brought to a location by prison officers, where he encountered a number of other people.

Gda Mearns said prison officers became aware of suspicious activity around Keogh, so he was brought back early to the prison.

Gda Mearns said Keogh was searched, and found with the cannabis and sleeping tablets.

Gda Mearns said Keogh was later interviewed by gardai, and he made full admissions.

The court heard that Keogh had a number of previous convictions, and received a life sentence for murder in 2006.

Defence solicitor John O’Doherty said his client had co-operated with gardaí and had made full admissions.

Mr O’Doherty said Keogh had served 20 years of a life sentence, and he asked the judge to give him credit for his early guilty plea.

Keogh, formally with an address in Finglas, received a life sentence back in 2006 after he was convicted by a jury of the murder of Peter Mitchell (32) at his home in Crumlin between October 17 and 20, 2003.

Keogh had spent the day drinking with a friend in a pub, and then went to Mr Mitchell’s house and continued drinking.

There was a fight, and Keogh stabbed father-of-three Mr Mitchell 16 times.

His body lay for three days before being found by gardaí.