Friday 30 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. 15678Theft · Co. Laois

Items stolen from graves at Oakvale Cemetery, Stradbally, Laois

Items were stolen from several graves at Oakvale Cemetery in Stradbally, Laois, according to Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy, who spoke to the Leinster Express on 23 October 2024. He estimated six or seven graves were affected and said small statues and candles were among the stolen items. The thefts came to light earlier that week after a person posted online about a family member's grave. No suspect has been named or arrested, and gardaí said they had not yet received any official reports. The cemetery committee is considering options, including CCTV and leaving the cemetery unlocked at all times.

  1. Reported23 Oct
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Items were stolen from graves at Oakvale Cemetery in Stradbally, Laois.
  • Small statues and candles were among the items stolen.
Where
The thefts took place at Oakvale Cemetery in Stradbally, Laois.
When
The thefts came to light earlier in the week of 23 October 2024, and the incident date is not given.
Other details
  • Cllr Paschal McEvoy estimated that six or seven graves were affected.
  • No suspect has been named or arrested in connection with the thefts.
  • The cemetery committee is considering options, including CCTV and leaving the cemetery unlocked at all times.
  • The committee's role relates to the upkeep of the cemetery.
Investigation
  • The thefts came to light after a person posted online about a family member's grave.
  • Gardaí said they had not yet received any official reports of thefts from the cemetery.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatItems were stolen from graves at a cemetery in Stradbally. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatSmall statues and candles were among the stolen items. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe thefts took place at Oakvale Cemetery in Stradbally. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe thefts came to light after a person posted online about a family member's grave. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said they had not yet received any official reports of thefts from the cemetery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherAround six or seven graves were affected, according to the councillor's estimate. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe cemetery committee is looking at ideas, including leaving the cemetery unlocked at all times. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCCTV has been discussed as a possible measure. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe committee's role relates to the upkeep of the cemetery. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2024
    Reportedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Items stolen from graves in 'shameful' thefts at Laois cemetery

    First report of the thefts. Councillor Paschal McEvoy estimated six or seven graves were affected. Gardaí said no official reports had been received. The graveyard committee is considering options, including CCTV.