Ireland Man sentenced over counterfeit meat labels at Dundalk Circuit Court
On 20 April 2017, counterfeit labels purporting to be from well-known meat processors were found at Arcross Foods, Rock Road, Blackrock, Louth, during a follow-up inspection after a routine visit by a Louth County Council Veterinary Officer and Food Safety Authority of Ireland officials. Martin McCreesh (58) of Dromore, Castleblayney, was originally prosecuted for 20 offences. At Dundalk Circuit Court, reported on 27 April 2023, he was sentenced for three offences, including custody of a false instrument, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work within 18 months instead of a 15-month sentence. The judge said the guilty pleas were valued by the State, though not entered early, and the Probation Service assessed him as low risk of reoffending.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Counterfeit labels purporting to be from well-known meat processors were found during a follow-up inspection of a local business.
- Where
- The offence of custody of a false instrument took place at Arcross Foods, Rock Road, Blackrock.
- When
- The offence was committed on 20 April 2017.
- Investigation
- A routine visit by Louth County Council's Veterinary Officer and officials from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland led to the follow-up inspection.
- 48 boxes of meat were not properly marked.
- In total 135 boxes of frozen meat were seized.
- Charges
- Martin McCreesh (58) of Dromore, Castleblayney, was originally prosecuted for 20 offences.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- He was sentenced for three offences, including custody of a false instrument.
- He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work within 18 months, instead of a 15-month sentence.
- Other details
- Judge Dara Hayes said the guilty pleas were seen as valuable by the State, though they were not entered early.
- The Probation Service assessed him as being at low risk of reoffending.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCounterfeit labels purporting to be from well-known meat processors were found during a follow-up inspection of a local business. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe offence of custody of a false instrument took place at Arcross Foods, Rock Road, Blackrock. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe offence was committed on April 20th 2017. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe routine visit was carried out by Louth County Council's Veterinary Officer and officials from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigation48 boxes of meat were not properly marked. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationIn total 135 boxes of frozen meat were seized. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeThe defendant was originally prosecuted for 20 offences and was sentenced for three. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered the defendant to complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community within 18 months, instead of a 15-month sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe judge said the guilty pleas were seen as valuable by the State, though they were not entered early. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe Probation Service assessed the defendant as being at low risk of reoffending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Apr2023Dundalk Court: Counterfeit labels found on meat
Court report on the sentencing of Martin McCreesh, with the community work order and the judge's reasoning.
convicted, Martin McCreesh, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin McCreesh