TWO Drogheda men who the local district court was told had intimidated a witness in proceedings against them were each jailed for selling alcohol without a licence yesterday. Joseph Coddington (48), Rathmullen Park and Peter Clarke (45), Moneymore, admitted the offences on September 12th last year.
Insp Pat Dolan, Drogheda, said gardai had found 15 bottles of cider and 158 cans of assorted beer in Mr Coddington's house.
He told gardai the alcohol was for a street party. The inspector said gardai had watched Mr Clarke's home and had observed him and others moving drink to another house, the home of Geraldine Walsh.
When gardai searched that house they found 83 bottles of cider. Mr and Mrs Walsh said they had been asked if they would store the drink for an hour or two. Insp Dolan said Mrs Walsh had been told that if Mr Clarke went down, she would want to watch her back.
Judge Flann Brennan sentenced Clarke to four months and Coddington to two terms of five months to run concurrently. Recognisance was set at their own bond of £500 with independent surety of £2,000 pounds. Judge Brennan ordered the destruction of the intoxicating liquor.