Man was found trespassing at flats

A man who was homeless at the time he was found trespassing at apartments in Dundalk town centre had the case against him adjourned for a probation report after Judge Flann Brennan was told the defendant had returned to his house.

Nathan McKeown, (23), whose address was given as care of Dundalk Simon, admitted trespass at the Old Library apartments at Chapel Street on November 18 and to public order offences at Barrack Street two days later.

Gardai went to Chapel Street after a member of the public complained about noise and found McKeown at the back the flats. He didn’t live there and he was found to have a stone in his pocket when he was searched.

Two days later, Gardai were with McKeown again after they received a report about a man acting aggressively at Barrack Street. Gardai said the defendant was ‘very, very intoxicated and agitated’ and he was arrested for public order offences.

McKeown, who has no previous convictions, had been living at the Simon Community, solicitor Frank McDonnell said. He added that his client had been ‘well looked after’ by the charity and McKeown is now living back at home.

‘He has left that period of his life behind. He is living with his mother and he feels stronger now to get back to the way of living. These incidents happened because he was homeless’. The case was adjourned to December 21 for a probation report.