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. 9690Extortion (demanding money with menaces) · Co. Louth

Three men plead guilty to extortion of Drogheda businessman

Neil Kelly, a Drogheda businessman, was threatened in County Louth. In August 2023, while he was abroad, an incendiary device, described in some reports as a pipe bomb, and four bullets were found at his front door. On 13 October 2023 Thomas O'Gorman, 63, requested €2.5 million from Mr Kelly, and three meetings recorded by Mr Kelly followed between November and December 2023. Francis O'Hanlon, 61, was arrested in February 2024, and the three men pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court to one count each of demanding money with menaces. At the sentence hearing Judge Dara Hayes said a custodial sentence was inevitable, and he remanded O'Gorman, O'Hanlon and Darren Cole in custody to be sentenced on 15 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Thomas O'Gorman, Francis O'Hanlon and Darren Cole each pleaded guilty to one count of demanding money with menaces, which the sources describe as extortion.
  • Mr Kelly later received threatening text messages from a Northern Irish phone number.
Where
The victim is a Drogheda businessman, and the sentence hearing took place at Dundalk Circuit Court.
When
  • In August 2023, while Mr Kelly was abroad, an incendiary device and four bullets were found at his front door.
  • On 13 October 2023, O'Gorman requested €2.5 million from Mr Kelly at a meeting.
  • Three in-person meetings took place between November and December 2023 at the City North Hotel, Gormanstown, and Mr Kelly recorded them.
Weapon
The device found at the front door is described as an incendiary device in one account and as a pipe bomb in another, and four bullets were also found.
Cause
Mr Kelly was threatened that he would end up like Kevin Lunny.
Investigation
  • Gardaí were unable to identify the person who placed the device at Mr Kelly's home.
  • O'Hanlon was arrested in February 2024 and took part in 10 interviews.
In court
  • Mr Kelly gave a victim impact statement at the sentence hearing, and Judge Dara Hayes described the offending as part of a greater scheme of extraordinary intimidation.
  • Judge Dara Hayes said a custodial sentence was inevitable.
Sentence
Judge Dara Hayes remanded all three men in custody to be sentenced on 15 June.
Other details
O'Gorman is 63 and gave an address at Old Balrath Post Office, Navan; O'Hanlon is 61 and of Ballyshane, Kilmore West, Dublin; Cole is 52 and of Foxhill Close, Coolock, Dublin.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men pleaded guilty to one count each of demanding money with menaces. (rte.ie)
  • whatMr Kelly then received threatening text messages from a Northern Irish phone number. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe sentence hearing took place at Dundalk Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
  • whenIn August 2023 an incendiary device and four bullets were found at the victim's front door while he was abroad. (rte.ie)
  • whenThree in-person meetings took place between November and December 2023 at the City North Hotel, Gormanstown, and Mr Kelly recorded them. (rte.ie)
  • weaponThe device found at the front door was an incendiary device, and four bullets were also found. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were unable to identify the person who placed the pipe bomb at Mr Kelly's home. (rte.ie)
  • investigationO'Hanlon was arrested in February 2024 and took part in 10 interviews. (rte.ie)
  • chargeOn 13 October 2023, O'Gorman requested €2.5 million from Mr Kelly at a meeting. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said a custodial sentence was inevitable. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded all three men in custody to be sentenced on 15 June. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 May2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Extortion case hears of 'devastating' threats to man

    Sentence hearing report: the three men pleaded guilty to one count each of demanding money with menaces, and the court heard the victim's impact statement. Sentencing is set for 15 June. Gardaí could not identify who placed the pipe bomb.

    victim, Neil Kelly, male, irish (judged from name)Neil Kellyconvicted, Thomas O'Gorman, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas O'Gormanconvicted, Francis O'Hanlon, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)Francis O'Hanlonconvicted, Darren Cole, 52, male, namedDarren Cole