A Wicklow man has told a court he had to sell his home to end the threat to his family caused by his eldest son’s drug debts, reports RTE.
Michael O’Reilly, a former supermarket manager, told the Wicklow District Court hearing that he had already paid €17,500 to settle drug debts accumulated by his son Oisin.
The court heard that one of Mr O’Reilly’s cars was set on fire and he and his wife were threatened at his front door.
O’Reilly said he had quit his job at Tesco due to illness but hoped to return to work elsewhere next year.
O’Reilly said he also installed security cameras throughout his property because of physical threats to his family and home.
Oisin O’Reilly, 24, of Derin Drive, Wicklow Town, pleaded guilty to a charge of demanding money by threat on January 13, 2021, in Brickfield Lane, Wicklow Town. 17 of the Criminal Code (Public Order) Act 1994
The court heard that an elderly Lithuanian woman and her nephew were threatened with a knife to their throats, along with other people who went to the property with the accused, reports RTE.
Detective Garda Frank Gunter told the court that O’Reilly went to the house with other people over an alleged drug debt.
The court heard O’Reilly regularly spent the night at the house.
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