Ireland Arrest warrant issued after wrong man appears in Tullamore District Court
On 17 December 2023, fuel worth €108 was allegedly taken without payment from a Centra on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. A summons names Thomas Sweeney, a 43-year-old man with an address at Racecourse Hill, Clifden, Co Galway, as the alleged thief, and the person who allegedly took the fuel was identified on CCTV. On 20 February 2025, a different man appeared before Tullamore District Court and was told he was free to go after it was confirmed he was not the person summonsed. Judge Andrew Cody then issued a bench warrant for Thomas Sweeney, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas Sweeney, aged 43, is alleged to have stolen motor fuel.
- Where
- The fuel was allegedly stolen from a Centra on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The alleged theft took place on 17 December 2023.
- Investigation
- The person who allegedly stole the fuel was identified on CCTV.
- Charges
- The summons is for stealing motor fuel from a filling station.
- Other details
- The fuel was valued at €108 and the person allegedly left without paying.
- Thomas Sweeney has an address at Racecourse Hill, Clifden, Co Galway.
- Barrister Paul Noctor told the court that his colleague David Nugent was representing the accused.
- In court
- The case was heard at Tullamore District Court, Co Offaly, on 20 February 2025.
- A man appeared in court who was confirmed not to be the person summonsed, and he was told he was free to go.
- Sources disagree on the plea: one version says a guilty plea had been previously entered, while the man before the court said he had not pleaded guilty.
- Judge Andrew Cody issued a bench warrant for Thomas Sweeney.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThomas Sweeney, aged 43, is alleged to have stolen fuel. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe fuel was allegedly stolen from a Centra in Kilbeggan. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged theft happened on 17 December 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe person who allegedly stole the fuel was identified on CCTV. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe summons is for stealing motor fuel from a filling station. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA plea of guilty had been previously entered, but the man before the court said he had not pleaded guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe man in court was told he was free to go. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody issued a bench warrant for Thomas Sweeney of Racecourse Hill, Clifden. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe value of the fuel was €108 and the person left without paying. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Feb2025Arrest warrant issued after wrong man appears in Tullamore District Court
Court report on a fuel theft case in which the wrong man appeared, and a bench warrant was issued for the summonsed Thomas Sweeney. Kilbeggan is in Co Westmeath, although the case was heard in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
accused, Thomas Sweeney, 43, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Sweeney