Ireland Court concerns over schooling of 13-year-old girl accused of offences in Laois
A 13-year-old girl from Laois, who cannot be identified, faces multiple offences including theft, all of which are said to have occurred when she was 12. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she stole items worth €220.35 from a shop in Portlaoise on August 20, 2025, stole sweets worth €4.70 from the Odeon Cinema in Portlaoise on December 9, 2025, and was shouting and roaring in Laois Shopping Centre on November 9, 2025. At Portlaoise District Court, reported on June 20, 2026, she pleaded guilty at an early stage, her solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick asked for the matter to be concluded without a conviction, and Judge Catherine Ryan expressed concern about her schooling. Judge Ryan granted legal aid and adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on September 14, which is the latest recorded development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The girl is accused of multiple offences, including theft, all said to have occurred when she was 12.
- The girl is alleged to have stolen items valued at €220.35 from a shop in Portlaoise on August 20, 2025.
- The girl is alleged to have stolen sweets valued at €4.70 from the Odeon Cinema in Portlaoise on December 9, 2025.
- The girl was shouting and roaring in Laois Shopping Centre on November 9, 2025.
- Where
- The offences are linked to County Laois, and the girl has a Laois address.
- Other details
- The girl is 13 and cannot be identified.
- Her solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, described the girl as young and vulnerable.
- The girl had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and had missed a lot of school.
- Judge Ryan said she was not in favour of taking the girl out of mainstream school, and a principal was invited to attend court.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby gave the court the details of the offences.
- In court
- The girl appeared before Portlaoise District Court, reported on June 20, 2026.
- The girl pleaded guilty at an early stage and engaged with probation services, and a report was before the court.
- The solicitor asked the court to conclude the matter without a criminal conviction.
- Judge Catherine Ryan granted legal aid and adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on September 14.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been reported.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe girl stole items valued at €220.35 from a shop in Portlaoise on August 20, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe girl stole sweets valued at €4.70 from the Odeon Cinema in Portlaoise on December 9, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe girl was shouting and roaring in Laois Shopping Centre on November 9, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe girl appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe girl pleaded guilty at an early stage. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe solicitor asked the court to conclude the matter without a criminal conviction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Ryan granted legal aid and adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on September 14. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherAll the offences before the court occurred when the girl was 12. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe girl had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and had missed a lot of school. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherJudge Catherine Ryan said she was not in favour of taking the girl out of mainstream school. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jun2026Principal invited to attend court over girl who was offending in Laois
Reports the Portlaoise District Court appearance, the offences listed by the garda, the solicitor's plea for no conviction, the judge's concerns about schooling and the adjournment date.
accused, 13, female