Saturday 31 October 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. 21091Theft · Co. Tipperary

Father and son accused of Tipperary thefts have cases adjourned

John Drennan of Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, is accused of stealing building materials and supplies from hardware and builders' merchants in Thurles, Roscrea, Mullingar, Leitrim and Ennis between January 14 and March 25, 2023. He was also charged with possessing a van with false registration plates and high-vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Nenagh on April 14, 2023. His father, Peter Drennan, of Edenderry, Co Offaly, was charged with the same offences, and John was remanded in custody at Nenagh District Court on April 26. On May 16, 2023, both cases were adjourned to June 9, with DPP directions still awaited.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 May
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Drennan is charged with seven counts of theft of building materials valued from €850 to €1,280.
  • The alleged stolen items include plywood, building supplies, milk replacer, a Victor Whacker plate and lead rolls.
Where
The alleged thefts happened at hardware stores in Roscrea, Thurles, Mullingar, Leitrim and Ennis.
When
  • On January 14, 2023, John Drennan allegedly stole 20 plywood sheets worth €1,280 from Ronayne's Hardware in Thurles, and building supplies worth €1,214 from Stakelum's Hardware in Thurles.
  • Further alleged thefts took place on January 23 in Mullingar, January 24 in Leitrim, March 15 in Thurles, March 22 in Ennis and March 25 in Roscrea.
Charges
  • John Drennan is charged with possessing a white Volkswagen Caddy van with false registration plates and high-vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Banba Square, Nenagh, on April 14, 2023.
  • Peter Drennan, of an address in Edenderry, Co Offaly, is charged with the same offences as his son.
In court
  • John Drennan was remanded in custody by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court on April 26, with no bail application made.
  • Sources differ on the solicitor who made no bail application, naming David Peters in one report and Johnny Spencer in another.
  • Peter Drennan appeared before Thurles District Court on April 19 and was remanded in custody to Tipperary Town District Court on April 26.
  • On May 16, 2023, Nenagh District Court adjourned both cases to June 9, with John Drennan remanded in continuing custody.
Investigation
DPP directions are awaited in both cases.
Other details
John Drennan's address is given as Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe thefts happened in hardware stores in Roscrea, Thurles, Mullingar, Leitrim and Ennis. (tipperarylive.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe thefts took place at hardware stores in Roscrea, Thurles, Mullingar, Leitrim and Ennis. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenOn January 14, 2023, John Drennan allegedly stole 20 plywood sheets worth €1,280 from Ronayne’s Hardware in Thurles. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenOn January 14, 2023, he allegedly stole 20 plywood sheets worth €1,280 from Ronayne's Hardware in Thurles. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with possessing a white Volkswagen caddy van with false registration plates and high vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Banba Square Nenagh on April 14, 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan faces seven counts of theft of building materials valued from €850 to €1,280. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargePeter Drennan, of an address in Edenderry, Co Offaly, appeared before Thurles District Court on April 19 charged with the same offences. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with offences including possession of a white Volkswagen caddy van with false registration plates and high vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Nenagh on April 14, 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan also faces seven counts of theft of building materials valued from €850 to €1,280. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with stealing 20 plywood sheets worth €1,280 from Ronayne’s Hardware in Thurles on January 14, 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with stealing building supplies worth €1,214 from Stakelum’s Hardware in Thurles on the same date. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with theft of milk replacer worth €1,000 from Ballyduff Coop in Thurles on March 15. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with theft of a Victor Whacker plate worth €1,230 from Midlands Site Supplies in Roscrea on March 25. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with taking building materials worth €1,236 from Dpl Builder’s Providers in Mullingar on January 23. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with stealing lead rolls worth €866 from Reynold’s Topline Hardware in Leitrim on January 24. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with stealing 15 bags of milk replacer worth €850 from Dan McInerney’s in Ennis, Clare, on March 22. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJohn Drennan is charged with possessing a white Volkswagen van with false registration plates and high vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Banba Square, Nenagh, on April 14, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe faces seven counts of theft of building materials valued from €850 to €1,280. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with theft of milk replacer worth €1,000 from Ballyduff Coop in Thurles on March 15. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJohn Drennan was remanded in custody by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtNo bail application was made by his solicitor, David Peters, and John Drennan was remanded in custody to Tipperary Town District Court on Wednesday, April 26. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtJudge Elizabeth MacGrath remanded John Drennan in continuing custody to the same court on June 9. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtNo bail application was made by solicitor Johnny Spencer. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtPeter Drennan, of an Edenderry address in County Offaly, appeared before Thurles District Court on April 19 charged with the same offences. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtPeter Drennan was remanded in custody to Tipperary Town District Court on April 26. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtBoth cases have been adjourned to June 9. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe cases were adjourned to next month by Nenagh District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Elizabeth MacGrath remanded him in continuing custody to the same court on June 9. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtNo bail application was made by his solicitor, Johnny Spencer. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherDPP directions are awaited in both cases. (tipperarylive.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHis father, Peter, was charged with the same offences and appeared before Thurles District Court on April 19. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 May2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Laois man back in court on charges of spate of thefts across Ireland

    Covers John Drennan's court appearance in Nenagh and his remand to 9 June. Also reports that his father, Peter, faces the same offences in Thurles District Court, a separate case that is not listed as a person here.

    accused, John Drennan, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Drennan
  2. 16 May2023
    In courttipperarylive.ie, first report
    Father and son accused of Tipperary thefts have their cases adjourned to next month

    Reports a court appearance by John Drennan on multiple theft charges and a related appearance by his father Peter Drennan on the same offences. Both cases are adjourned to June 9 and DPP directions are awaited.

    accused, John Drennan, named, irish (judged from name)John Drennanaccused, irish (judged from name)
  3. 15 May2023
    In courttipperarylive.ie, follow-up
    Father and son due in court over alleged spate of building material thefts around country

    Adds that the court was told of the remand in custody, that John Drennan faces seven theft counts and a charge of possessing a van with false registration plates, that his father Peter was charged with the same offences and remanded, and that DPP directions are awaited in both cases.

    accused, John Drennan, named, irish (judged from name)John Drennanaccused, Peter, namedPeter