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. 9661Facilitating an organised crime group, money laundering and drug dealing · Co. Louth

Two men to be sentenced over Drogheda gang involvement

Between July 2023 and December 2024, Dean Thornton, a man aged 28, and Gary Kelly, a man aged 31, both with addresses in Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth, operated an online virtual shop called Poundland that was used to sell cocaine and cannabis on Instagram and Telegram. Gardaí said the men were part of a sub-cell of the Boylan organised crime group. Both men have been in custody since January 2025, and each pleaded guilty to facilitating an organised crime group, with Thornton also pleading guilty to money laundering and Kelly admitting money laundering and drug dealing offences. On 8 May 2026 they appeared for a sentencing hearing, and Judge Dara Hayes remanded both men in custody to be sentenced on 16 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Both men pleaded guilty to facilitating an organised crime group.
Other details
  • Dean Thornton is a man aged 28 and Gary Kelly is a man aged 31.
  • Dean Thornton has 18 previous convictions and Gary Kelly has 85 previous convictions.
Where
Both men have addresses in Moneymore, Drogheda, County Louth.
When
The men operated the online shop between July 2023 and December 2024.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Niall McManus told the court the men were part of a sub-cell of the Boylan organised crime group.
  • Gardaí said Dean Thornton was one level above Gary Kelly in a command structure.
  • The men ran an online virtual shop called Poundland that was used to sell cocaine and cannabis on Instagram and Telegram.
Charges
  • Dean Thornton pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.
  • Gary Kelly admitted money laundering and drug dealing offences.
In court
  • Both men have been in custody since January 2025.
  • Both men appeared for a sentencing hearing on 8 May 2026.
Sentence
Judge Dara Hayes remanded both men in custody to be sentenced on 16 June.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe two men pleaded guilty to facilitating an organised crime group. (rte.ie)
  • whereBoth men have addresses in Moneymore, Drogheda. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe men were involved in a sub-cell of the Boylan organised crime group. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe men operated an online virtual shop called Poundland between July 2023 and December 2024. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said Dean Thornton was a level above Gary Kelly in a command structure. (rte.ie)
  • chargeDean Thornton also pleaded guilty to money laundering charges. (rte.ie)
  • chargeGary Kelly also admitted money laundering and drug dealing offences. (rte.ie)
  • courtBoth men have been in custody since January 2025. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Dara Hayes remanded both men in custody to be sentenced on 16 June. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe shop was used to sell cocaine and cannabis on Instagram and Telegram. (rte.ie)
  • otherDean Thornton has 18 previous convictions. (rte.ie)
  • otherGary Kelly has 85 previous convictions. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 May2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Two men to be sentenced over Drogheda gang involvement

    Sentencing hearing for two men in custody since January 2025. Sentencing was adjourned to 16 June. No matching case is in the existing list.

    convicted, Dean Thornton, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Thorntonconvicted, Gary Kelly, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary Kelly