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. 21407Theft and making gain by deception · Co. Laois

Laois man jailed over short change scam and food thefts

Darren McInerney, a 36-year-old man, admitted stealing a sausage roll on January 27 and a chicken fillet roll from Downey's Centra on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, Laois, on March 5, and admitted making gain by deception at Casey's Garage in Toomevara, Tipperary, on February 21, in what the judge called a short change scam. The court heard he has 137 previous convictions and his solicitor said he requires treatment for addiction issues. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him at the court, with the case reported on April 22, 2023, to one month for the Centra theft and three months for gain by deception, backdated to April 12. He was jailed for three months in total, which is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Darren McInerney, 36, was jailed for three months for stealing €20, a sausage roll and a chicken fillet roll.
Where
He admitted stealing a chicken fillet roll from Downey's Centra on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, Laois.
When
He admitted stealing a sausage roll on January 27 and a chicken fillet roll on March 5.
Charges
He admitted making gain by deception at Casey's Garage in Toomevara, Tipperary, on February 21.
In court
  • Judge Andrew Cody said he was aware of the short change scam.
  • The court heard the man has 137 previous convictions.
Sentence
  • He was sentenced to one month in prison for the theft from Downey's Centra and three months for making gain by deception.
  • The sentences were backdated to April 12.
Other details
  • The court heard the sausage roll he stole was valued at €1.90.
  • His solicitor said he requires treatment for addiction issues.
  • He is from Portlaoise, Laois.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was jailed for three months for stealing €20, a sausage roll and a chicken fillet roll. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereHe admitted stealing a chicken fillet roll from Downey’s Centra on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise on March 5. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenHe admitted stealing a sausage roll on January 27. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted making gain by deception at Casey’s Garage in Toomevara, Tipperary, on February 21. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he was aware of the short change scam. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to one month in prison for stealing from Downey’s Centra. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to three months in prison for making gain by deception. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to April 12. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man lives at 1 New Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe court heard the man has 137 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he requires treatment for addiction issues. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Apr2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois chicken fillet roll thief jailed for short change scam

    Sentencing report for theft and gain by deception offences from 2023. The 2024 Portlaoise burglary in case 14475 is a different case, although the name is the same.

    convicted, Darren McInerney, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren McInerney