Saturday 31 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. 19777Criminal damage · Co. Louth · 6 Aug 2021

Man fined €200 for criminal damage after shop incident at Hackballscross

On 6 August 2021, Dawid Hoch, a 40-year-old man, threw two bottles of Energise Sport and burst a bag of sweets as he left Watters XL shop at Annaghvacky, Hackballscross, County Louth, after being challenged for entering without a face covering during Covid restrictions. The case was heard at Dundalk District Court, where the defence said he wished to apologise and avoid a conviction. Judge Eirinn McKiernan called the behaviour incredibly bad, particularly at that time, and imposed a €200 fine for criminal damage. The sentence was reported on 20 September 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The man threw two bottles of Energise Sport and burst a bag of sweets.
Where
The incident happened as he left Watters XL shop at Annaghvacky, Hackballscross, County Louth.
When
The incident happened on 6 August 2021.
Cause
He became aggressive after being challenged for entering the shop without a face covering during Covid restrictions.
Charges
The offence before the court was criminal damage.
In court
  • The case was heard at Dundalk District Court before Judge Eirinn McKiernan.
  • The hearing was reported on 20 September 2023, and the article said it took place the week before.
Sentence
The judge imposed a €200 fine for criminal damage.
Other details
  • The defence solicitor said he wished to apologise for his behaviour and was keen to avoid a conviction.
  • The judge said the behaviour was incredibly bad, particularly at that time.
  • The man is a 40-year-old named as Dawid Hoch, of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin 7.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man threw two bottles of Energise Sport and burst a bag of sweets. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened as the man left Watters XL shop at Annaghvacky, Hackballscross. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on August 6th 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe man became aggressive after he was challenged over entering a shop without a face covering during Covid restrictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk District Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a €200 fine for criminal damage. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence solicitor said the client wished to apologise for his behaviour and was keen to avoid a conviction. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge said it was incredibly bad behaviour, particularly at that time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Sep2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Man who went into a shop with no mask during Covid got aggressive when challenged, Dundalk court heard

    Reports the Dundalk District Court hearing and sentence: a €200 fine for criminal damage, the defence's apology, and the judge's remarks on the behaviour.

    convicted, Dawid Hoch, 40, male, namedDawid Hoch