Thursday 29 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. 10333Theft · Co. Louth · 26 Oct 2024

Man sentenced to one month for stealing €20 of Halloween decorations in Dundalk

On 26 October 2024, a 47-year-old man named as Darren McElligott stole €20 worth of Halloween decorations from Woodville Manor in Dundalk, County Louth. The victim is not named in the sources, only the premises. McElligott admitted the theft, and on a date before 25 March 2026 he was sentenced to one month at Dundalk District Court, as reported that day. The court heard he is serving another sentence with a release date in July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man stole €20 worth of Halloween decorations.
Where
The theft took place at Woodville Manor, Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The theft happened on 26 October 2024.
Other details
  • The suspect is named as Darren McElligott, a 47-year-old man with an address at St Nicholas' Avenue, Dundalk.
  • The court heard he has 97 previous convictions, including 36 for theft.
  • The court heard he is serving another sentence with a release date in July.
  • The defence said drugs are his client's main issue.
  • The defence said he was clearly intoxicated, based on footage of the incident.
In court
McElligott admitted committing the theft.
Sentence
He was given a one-month sentence at Dundalk District Court, reported on 25 March 2026.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man stole €20 worth of Halloween decorations. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe theft happened at Woodville Manor, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe theft took place on 26 October 2024. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe accused admitted committing the theft. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceHe was given a one-month sentence at Dundalk District Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe court heard he had 97 previous convictions, including 36 for theft. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherHe is serving another sentence with a release date in July. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said drugs were his client's main issue and that he was clearly intoxicated when the theft was captured on footage. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2026
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Man sentenced for stealing Halloween decorations worth €20 from Louth premises

    Reports the sentencing at Dundalk District Court of a man who admitted the theft; gives the incident date, the court's account of his previous convictions and his current sentence.

    convicted, Darren McElligott, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren McElligott