Jail for man who demanded payment from Kildare parents over son's drug debt

A man who was prosecuted for demanding money with menaces from the parents of a man, who allegedly owed a drug debt, was sentenced to time in prison.

Before Naas District Court was Stephen Kennedy, 44, whose address was given as 11 Briarfield Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, who was prosecuted for five offences in November 2024 at an address in the Allenwood area.

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Sgt Mary Meade outlined that the defendant, who appeared in court via videolink because he was in custody, called to the home on November 6, 11, 13, 17 and 19 seeking payment of alleged drug debt of €11,000.

Sgt Meade said the parents were in fear and she alleged he was trying to intimidate them into paying a drug debt.

Sgt Meade said the defendant knocked on the door and left notes outlining that he was looking for them to get the son to contact him.

The sergeant also said that the defendant left a phone number and also wrote “thank you” on the notes as well as giving his name.

She said he left notes on the door on four occasions.

The notes claimed that the man said he was owed for three cars.

One note read: "Get him to ring me ASAP or I’ll be back.”

Another read: “Tell your son he sold three cars belonging to me. He  is smoking crack and others are looking for him." A note also stated the defendant knew the son was in contact with the parents.

The court heard that the defendant had a number of previous convictions including for  criminal damage, having drugs for sale or supply and making a threat to kill or cause serious injury.

Barrister Aisling Murphy said the defendant has three children, one with cerebral palsy. She said the mother of children suffers with her mental health and had been on suicide watch. ”He had to leave employment to look after the children,” said Ms Murphy who said most of the previous convictions were for road traffic offences.

Ms Murphy said her client apologises to the family and he accepts that what he did was wrong.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed custody terms of ten months for two of the offences and the other three were taken into account.