Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 23203Arson and burglary · Co. Laois · 10 Oct 2026

Bail refused for Mountmellick man over Portlaoise arson and Mountmellick burglary

Eric Nicholson, 30, of Ballacollig, Mountmellick, was remanded in custody at Portlaoise District Court after bail was refused on charges of arson (burning a Nissan Micra in Portlaoise on 10 October 2026) and burglary at a house in Ballacollig, Mountmellick, on 17 February 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEric Nicholson, 30, of 6 Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick, appeared in court accused of arson and possession of an article on October 10. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe car was destroyed in the fire. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe defendant made an effort to discard a two pronged serving fork concealed on his person when arrested. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe fork was concealed down the back of his trousers. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe defendant was one of two males who entered a house at Ballacollig and stole keys to a 171 registered car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe accused purchased the lighter with a €5 note which was covered in blood. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe arson took place at Old Mill, Church Avenue, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe burglary took place at Elm Park, Ballacollig, Mountmellick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe defendant was captured on video buying a lighter from a shop on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise on the morning of the arson. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe Nissan Micra was set alight on October 10 at 7.45am. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe burglary occurred on February 17, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was remanded in custody to appear again before Portlaoise District Court via video link on October 19. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe car was later recovered but the keys were never found. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe charge could result in up to 14 years in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused is a drug user. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCCTV was shown in court from the shop, inside the taxi and at the scene of the car fire at the Old Mill in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe taxi travelled to the scene of the fire and then took the accused from the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA technical examination of the burned car was carried out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man was seeking a place in a residential treatment centre. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Bail refused over alleged Laois arson and burglary

    Bail hearing at Portlaoise District Court; Judge Tom MacSharry refused bail citing seriousness of offences, strength of evidence and the man's addiction issues, and remanded him in custody to reappear via video link on 19 October 2026.

    accused, Eric Nicholson, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eric Nicholsonvictim, femalesuspect, male