Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6658Escape from custody; money laundering · Co. Louth · 14 Dec 2023

Man charged with escaping custody at Drogheda Garda Station gets €20k bail

Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart, 38, of Moneymore in Drogheda, was being held at Drogheda Garda Station, Co Louth, over alleged money laundering offences when he is alleged to have run out of the station at around 9pm on Thursday 14 December 2023, after being allowed outside for a cigarette. Gardaí launched a manhunt, and he is alleged to have remained at large for nearly four weeks before allegedly surrendering to gardaí on Thursday 11 January 2024. Garda James Durkan arrested and charged him with escaping from garda custody, and he appeared in custody at Drogheda District Court on Monday 22 January 2024. On Monday 29 January 2024 he took up €20k bail with strict conditions, and the case was adjourned to 26 February 2024.

  1. Reported20 Dec
  2. Arrested15 Dec
    2 reports
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jan
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart, 38, a man in his 30s, was arrested the week before as part of a money laundering investigation.
  • He is alleged to have escaped on foot from garda custody by running out of Drogheda Garda Station.
Where
The alleged escape was from Drogheda Garda Station in Co Louth, which a Garda statement placed in the Garda Northwest Region.
When
  • The alleged escape happened on Thursday 14 December 2023 at around 9pm, when he was due in court the following morning.
  • He is alleged to have surrendered to gardaí on Thursday 11 January 2024.
Cause
Sources say he was allowed outside for a cigarette break before running out of the station.
Investigation
Gardaí investigated the escape and launched a manhunt, but gave no update when asked and said the investigation was ongoing.
Other details
  • He is alleged to have remained at large for nearly four weeks, and a social media account in his name reportedly mocked gardaí.
  • He is reportedly linked to one of Drogheda's two feuding criminal gangs, which sources say was connected to a feud that broke out in 2018.
Charges
He was arrested and charged by Garda James Durkan with escaping from garda custody on 14 December 2023, and is also charged with money laundering offences.
In court
  • He appeared in custody at Drogheda District Court on Monday 22 January 2024, and the DPP directed that the escape charge be disposed of summarily in the district court.
  • On 29 January 2024 he took up €20k bail, made up of €10k cash lodged to the court and a €10k independent surety that was approved.
  • Bail conditions include a curfew from 10pm to 7am, daily signing at Drogheda Garda Station, surrender of his passport, and no contact with witnesses. Sources differ on his residence, with one saying Moneymore and another a Drogheda address.
  • The case was adjourned to 26 February 2024, when DPP directions on the money laundering offences are expected.
Sentence
According to sources, the maximum penalty on conviction on indictment for the escape charge is five years in prison; no sentence has been imposed.
73 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man in his 30s was arrested as part of a probe into money laundering. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe escaped from custody on foot on Thursday night. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 30s fled from a garda station while awaiting a court appearance for money laundering offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man escaped garda custody in Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe has been charged with escaping from garda custody at a Co Louth garda station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe is alleged to have stayed at large for nearly four weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA man being questioned over offences in Drogheda, Co Louth, escaped from Garda custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe man was being questioned at Drogheda Garda Station. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHe was questioned at Drogheda Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe man absconded from Drogheda Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe man was being held at Drogheda Garda Station in Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe fled from Drogheda Garda Station, where he was in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe is alleged to have fled from Drogheda Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe man is alleged to have fled from Drogheda Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe man was arrested on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe escaped later that evening. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe was allowed out of his cell at around 9pm on Thursday for a cigarette. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe escape was investigated as an escape from garda custody on Thursday 14 December. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe ran out of the station at around 9pm on Thursday night. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe ran out of the station at around 9pm on Thursday, 14 December. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe escape happened on Thursday, 14 December, at around 9pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged escape happened on December 14. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe is alleged to have surrendered to gardaí on January 11. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe escape is alleged to have happened on Thursday 14 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe allegedly surrendered to gardaí on Thursday 11 January 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeHe was allowed outside for a cigarette before escaping. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeHe had been allowed outside for a cigarette break before the escape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe man was being questioned over money laundering and other offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda Headquarters said gardaí were investigating the escape from Garda custody on Thursday 14 December 2023 from a Garda station in the Garda Northwest region. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda Headquarters said the investigation was ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí launched a manhunt for the man. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed they were investigating the escape from garda custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHe had been arrested the week before as part of a money laundering investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationExtensive searches in the area have not located him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed they are investigating the escape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDespite extensive searches, the man had not been located as of Tuesday afternoon, 19 December. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí gave no update on the investigation when asked. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHe was being held as part of an investigation into money laundering offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationExtensive searches since the escape had not located him as of the day before the article. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said there were no updates on the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe will face a charge of escape from lawful custody once caught. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAnyone assisting the man may face prosecution for enabling him to remain at large. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe will face a charge of escape from lawful custody once gardaí catch him or he hands himself in. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was arrested and charged by Garda James Durkan with escaping from custody on December 14. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is also charged with money laundering offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was arrested and charged by Garda James Durkan with escaping from custody on 14 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was due in court on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed summary disposal of the case, so it will be heard in the district court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDirections from the DPP on the court for the money laundering charges have not yet been received. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €10k cash and an independent surety of €10k. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHis bail conditions include residing at an address in Moneymore, signing on daily at Drogheda Garda Station and a curfew from 10pm to 7am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Monday, January 29 for a plea or a hearing date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared in custody at Drogheda District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe took up bail of €20k. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail was made up of €10k cash lodged to the court and a €10k independent surety that was approved. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include living at an address in Drogheda, signing on daily at Drogheda Garda Station, a curfew from 10pm to 7am, surrendering his passport and not applying for travel documents. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe must stay out of Boyne Hall on the Slane Road and not contact any witnesses. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has directed summary disposal of the escape from custody charge, so it will be heard in the district court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 26 February, when DPP directions on the money laundering offences are expected. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe maximum penalty on conviction on indictment for the escape charge is five years in prison, according to sources. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man is believed to have been connected to one faction in a Drogheda feud that broke out in 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man was at some point allowed a break, possibly to smoke a cigarette, before he fled. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe was being held before a District Court appearance the following Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was being investigated over alleged links to one of Drogheda's two feuding gangs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSources say gardaí do not believe he is too far away. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe has links to one of Drogheda's two feuding criminal gangs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was reportedly allowed outside for a cigarette before escaping. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe escape charge is a stand-alone charge with a maximum penalty of five years on indictment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA social media account in the man's name mocked gardaí over his whereabouts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe escapee has links to one of Drogheda's two feuding criminal gangs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe escapee said he will hand himself in, but did not say when. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe is alleged to have remained at large for nearly four weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to his solicitor, Michael Finucane. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man charged with escaping custody at Louth garda station gets €20k bail

    Adds the bail terms (€10k cash and €10k independent surety, with conditions), the money laundering charge, the DPP's direction for summary disposal of the escape charge, and the adjournment to 26 February.

    accused, Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart
  2. 22 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Pictured: Man charged with escaping from custody in Drogheda

    Adds that he was at large for nearly four weeks and surrendered on January 11, the charging details, the DPP's direction for summary disposal, the bail terms and the adjournment to January 29.

    accused, Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony 'Tagz' McEntaggart
  3. 3 Jan2024
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man who fled Garda station on smoke break-'If it wasn't so easy I wouldn't have'

    Irish Mirror interview with the unnamed escapee, who is still at large and says he will hand himself in. The article says he will face a charge of escape from lawful custody once caught. Gardaí said there were no updates. The case record shows a later charge, but this article predates it.

    suspect, 30s, male
  4. 20 Dec2023
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Fugitive who fled garda station will face charge of escape from lawful custody

    Adds that the escapee has not been found as of 19 December, that gardaí do not believe he is far away, that he will face an escape charge when caught, that anyone assisting him may be prosecuted, and that a social media account in his name mocked gardaí.

    suspect, 30s, male
  5. 18 Dec2023
    Otheririshmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí believe fugitive who fled while on cigarette break 'isn't too far away'

    Adds details of the escape: he was allowed outside for a cigarette, ran out of the station at around 9pm, remains at large despite searches, and is linked to a Drogheda feud.

    suspect, 30s, male
  6. 17 Dec2023
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man on smoke break flees Garda station as manhunt launched

    Reports the escape from Drogheda Garda Station and the manhunt that followed. It adds that the man was due in court on the Friday, and that he was questioned in connection with money laundering. It does not name him or describe a charge.

    suspect, 30s, male
  7. 15 Dec2023
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Investigation after man escapes from Garda custody in Drogheda

    Adds the Garda statement confirming the investigation, the suspected link to a Drogheda feud faction, the questioning over money laundering and other offences, and the reported break that preceded the escape. The article does not name the man.

    suspect, male