Ireland Longford 14-year-old granted bail on 19 theft and arson charges
A 14-year-old male is charged with 19 offences, including seven counts of theft and seven of arson, over 14 incidents involving commercial wheelie bins in County Longford between September 2024 and April 2025. Gardaí used CCTV to identify suspects, and the teenager is reported to have admitted involvement in all 14 incidents; he was also separately charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and possession of drugs. The sources differ on when he was arrested, with one giving September 23, 2024 and another saying he had been in Garda custody since April 25. At Longford District Court in May 2025, Judge Bernadette Owens granted him bail despite Garda objections, with conditions including a 10pm to 7am curfew, and adjourned the case until May 20.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court16 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 14-year-old male faces 19 charges over theft and arson incidents involving commercial wheelie bins.
- Where
- The incidents took place in County Longford.
- When
- The incidents are reported to have run from September 2024 to April 2025.
- One source gives his arrest date as September 23, 2024, while another says he has been in Garda custody since April 25.
- Investigation
- Gardaí investigated 14 incidents and used CCTV to identify suspects.
- Charges
- He faces seven counts of theft and seven counts of arson among the 19 charges.
- He was also separately charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and possession of drugs.
- Other details
- He is reported to have admitted involvement in all 14 incidents.
- He had no previous convictions.
- He failed to sign on at the local garda station on numerous occasions and had not signed on since March 6.
- In court
- Gardaí objected to bail, but Judge Bernadette Owens granted him bail at Longford District Court.
- His bail conditions include staying out of Longford, remaining free of intoxicants and observing a 10pm to 7am curfew.
- The judge requested a psychological assessment and drug counselling.
- The case was adjourned until May 20.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whenThe teenager was arrested on September 23, 2024 and detained by Gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí investigated 14 incidents involving commercial wheelie bins and used CCTV to identify suspects. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe defendant had 19 charges, including seven counts of theft and seven counts of arson. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe teenager was separately charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury and possession of drugs. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtA teenager was granted bail at Longford District Court despite Garda objections. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge released the teenager on bail with conditions including staying out of Longford, remaining intoxicant free and a 10pm to 7am curfew. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge requested a psychological assessment and drug counselling and adjourned the case until May 20. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe teenager admitted being involved in all 14 incidents. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe teenager failed to sign on at the garda station on numerous occasions and had not signed on since March 6. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 May2025Longford judge told teen on theft and arson charges has been 'failed by the State'
Bail hearing at Longford District Court for a 14-year-old facing 19 charges over theft and arson incidents from September 2024 to April 2025; the teen is not named.
accused, 14, male