Thursday 29 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. 10345Theft · Co. Offaly · 23 May 2024

Jason Harford changes plea to guilty over Edenderry car theft

A Ford Kuga was taken from the driveway of a woman's home in The Sycamores, Edenderry, between May 23 and May 24, 2024. Gardaí used CCTV to identify Jason Harford, a man due to turn 37 in March 2026, who was charged with stealing the car and initially pleaded not guilty, and the car was later recovered behind apartments on Fr McWey Street. A court report published on March 12, 2026 says he changed his plea to guilty at Tullamore District Court after CCTV showing him wiping the steering wheel was played. He was remanded on continuing bail to May 6, and the judge said he could anticipate a six-month sentence, but no sentence has yet been imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Ford Kuga owned by a woman was taken from the driveway of a house in The Sycamores, Edenderry.
When
The car was parked by its owner on the evening of May 23, 2024, and the theft happened between May 23 and May 24, 2024.
Where
The car was recovered from behind apartments on Fr McWey Street in Edenderry.
Investigation
CCTV footage from around 1.31am on May 24 showed the car being parked, and gardaí identified a suspect wiping down the steering wheel.
Charges
Jason Harford was charged with stealing the woman's vehicle and initially pleaded not guilty.
In court
  • Harford changed his plea to guilty at Tullamore District Court after the CCTV footage was played in court, as defence counsel said.
  • The judge remanded Harford on continuing bail to appear again on May 6.
Sentence
The judge said he could anticipate a six-month sentence for the car theft offence, and no sentence has yet been imposed.
Other details
  • Harford had previously made full admissions in a garda interview.
  • Harford has 75 previous convictions.
  • The car was moved a few times after the theft and was later returned to the owner.
  • The defence said Harford had made good the loss to the victim.
  • Harford had been given state funding to seek treatment at the St Francis Farm addiction centre.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA car was taken from the driveway of a house in The Sycamores, Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe car was a Ford Kuga that the owner had parked on the evening of May 23. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe car was recovered from behind apartments on Fr McWey Street in Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe theft happened between May 23 and May 24, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí viewed CCTV footage and identified a suspect in the car wiping down the steering wheel. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage from around 1.31am on May 24 showed the car being parked. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeMr Harford had pleaded not guilty to stealing a vehicle belonging to a woman. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMr Harford changed his plea to guilty after the CCTV footage was played in court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtDefence counsel said Mr Harford was changing his plea to guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded Mr Harford on continuing bail to appear again on May 6. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he could anticipate a six-month sentence for the car theft offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Harford had previously made full admissions in a garda interview. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Harford had 75 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe car was moved a few times after the theft and was later returned to the owner. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Mr Harford had made good the loss to the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Harford had been given state funding to seek treatment at St Francis Farm addiction centre. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Mar2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man who denied Offaly car theft changed plea after CCTV footage played in court

    Court report on a hearing at Tullamore District Court where the accused changed his plea to guilty after CCTV was played. Sentencing has not yet taken place, and the case was remanded to May 6.

    accused, Jason Harford, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Harfordvictim, female