{"id":551964,"date":"2026-06-24T16:25:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T16:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/551964\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T16:25:26","slug":"jailed-rapper-dean-thornton-drops-new-track-days-after-sentencing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/551964\/","title":{"rendered":"Jailed rapper Dean Thornton drops new track days after sentencing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Exclusive &#8211; Thornton&#8217;s supporters have also indicated that further rap music releases are planned<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\" Dean Thornton \" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2_Dean-Thornton-drogheda.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\" Dean Thornton \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\"> Dean Thornton <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jailed rapper and convicted criminal Dean Thornton has released a new rap track just days after being sentenced for facilitating Drogheda&#8217;s <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/organised-crime\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Boylan Organised Crime Group<\/a> (OCG).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Thornton&#8217;s supporters have also indicated that further rap music releases are planned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A post on his official Instagram page DT.RSK.Music stated: &#8220;I just wanna let you know Cold Nights is coming very soon and after that we have two more releases ready and then boom, we\u2019re coming with the best mixed tape Ireland has ever seen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is unclear when or where Thornton recorded the track called \u2018Live Sleep Dream\u2019 which dropped on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A previous rap by Thornton, including a video of a male with his face covered, was released while Thornton was in custody prompted questions about when and where his contribution had been recorded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, there was no evidence the rap had been recorded inside prison.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dean Thornton new rap\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5_DeanThorntonnewrap.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dean Thornton new rap\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dean Thornton new rap<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When contacted, a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service said: \u201cThe Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This comes as it was revealed during his sentencing hearing last Friday at <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/courts\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Dundalk Circuit Court<\/a> that he amassed three prison disciplinary reports within weeks of entering custody last year after mobile phones and cannabis were repeatedly discovered in prison cells he shared with other inmates, a court has heard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">During sentencing proceedings, prosecuting counsel told the court that he became the subject of three separate P19 prison disciplinary reports during his first two months behind bars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The first incident occurred on February 19, 2025, less than a month after Thornton entered custody, when a smartphone was discovered during a search of a cell shared by Thornton and another prisoner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A second search on March 11 resulted in the seizure of two smartphones and 22 grams of cannabis from a shared cell.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Just 11 days later, on March 22, prison officers recovered a further smartphone and 12 grams of cannabis during a search of another shared cell, the court was told.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In total, four smartphones and 34 grams of cannabis were recovered during the three searches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Despite the discoveries, Thornton did not face criminal charges arising from any of the incidents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Prosecuting counsel confirmed that no prosecution was brought in relation to the seized phones or drugs as the ownership of the contraband was not established.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Addressing the discoveries during the hearing, the sentencing judge Dara Hayes noted that the items had been found in shared accommodation and remarked: &#8220;They may have been another cell mate\u2019s.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The latest rap track comes shortly after Thornton was sentenced for his role in facilitating the Boylan Organised Crime Group who were involved in <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/drogheda\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the deadly Drogheda drugs feud<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The court heard that Thornton and co-accused Gary Kelly, both with addresses at Moneymore in Drogheda, Co Louth operated a sub-cell of the gang known as &#8220;Poundland&#8221;, which sold drugs through online platforms and social media accounts.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Poundland logo in Dean Thornton's rap video advertising the 'online drugs supermarket'\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_JS410066472-1.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Poundland logo in Dean Thornton's rap video advertising the 'online drugs supermarket'\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Poundland logo in Dean Thornton&#8217;s rap video advertising the &#8216;online drugs supermarket&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Thornton (28) was described as \u2018director of the sub-cell\u2019 of the Boylan Organised Crime Group. He has 18 previous convictions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kelly (31) was described as \u2018a puppet following directions, but a vital cog in the operation and has 88 previous convictions, the court heard.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dean Thornton and Gary Kelly\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_JS357455970.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Dean Thornton and Gary Kelly\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Dean Thornton and Gary Kelly<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Poundland logo also appeared in one of Thornton\u2019s rap videos \u2018Real Street Kids\u2019 where he referenced the Drogheda feud and drug dealing under his rap name Dean Thornton AMF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Judge Hayes noted Thornton used the rap video \u201cas a marketing tool for drugs as the logo was prominently placed in the video.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The court heard \u2018Real Street Kids\u2019 rap and video, which formed part of the investigation, was Thornton\u2019s \u2018most successful rap video,\u2019 to date.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Detective Garda Niall McManus told the court AMF refers to \u2018Anti-Maguire faction, \u201cMaguires being the other side of the Drogheda feud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In sentencing the pair at Dundalk Circuit Court on Friday, Judge Dara Hayes said \u201cThey are not low level drug dealers being snared by addiction and debt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThey may not have been at the top but they were prominent members of the crime group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe criminal organisation played a significant role in the drug distribution in the Louth\/Meath area and was a particular scourge in Drogheda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe organised crime group was involved in serious violence and feuding and the two played a significant role in that,\u201d the judge said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Judge Hayes sentenced Thornton to eight years and nine months with the final 15 months suspended while Kelly was sentenced to eight years with the final 15 months suspended.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"Sign up hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=39e53cb8-b266-4e33-8d00-e9f7a38f420c&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Exclusive &#8211; Thornton&#8217;s supporters have also indicated that further rap music releases are planned Dean Thornton Jailed rapper&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":551965,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[264],"tags":[27,13415,18,117,19,17,110601,337,9757],"class_list":["post-551964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-courts","tag-drogheda","tag-eire","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-mountjoy-prison","tag-music","tag-organised-crime"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116806021393998200","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=551964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/551965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=551964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=551964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=551964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}