Local Garda work praised

The work of local gardaí in tackling the illegal drugs trade and criminality has been praised.

Local Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said a lot of hard work had been put in by gardaí and it had paid off with significant growhouse discoveries in recent weeks.

Gardaí discovered over €97,000 worth of cannabis at a premises in Drumcalpin last week.

Lukas Kvietkus (23) of Drumcalpin, Cavan was arrested at the scene by gardaí following the discovery of the cannabis growhouse. He’s currently before the courts.

Another discovery saw gardaí uncover a growhouse in Bailieborough in which €51,200 worth of cannabis was uncovered.

Chief Supt McGovern praised the work, saying they were “excellent detections based on good police work”.

Separately, the Chief Superintendent welcomed the sentences handed down in two major local crimes.

Niall Finnegan (39) of Cherry Grove, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years, suspending the final 18 months for three years. He was jailed for handling money taken in ATM thefts carried out across the region.

Chief Superintendent McGovern welcomed the sentence and again said it was down to “good policing” by local gardaí. However, he said he was reluctant to comment further as a number of other accused people remain before the courts.

November also saw three men convicted of the false imprisonment and assault of Mannock director Kevin Lunney.

“I want to commend the investigation team. It was a very difficult process but they conducted a thorough investigation,” he said.

The three are to be sentenced on December 20.