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. 19129Trespass; theft; public order offences · Co. Longford

Longford man before court over trespass, theft and public order charges

Justin McCleary (21), of Lacken, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, appeared in court on six trespass, theft and public order charges covering alleged offences between August and October 2022. The first alleged offence, public intoxication and threatening behaviour, was on 31 August 2022 at Main Street, Ballymahon, and a trespass and alleged theft at the Maria Edgeworth Centre, Edgeworthstown, followed just over three weeks later. Other charges include trespass at the Mostrim Arms and the alleged unlawful taking of a vehicle at The Green, Edgeworthstown, which state prosecutors say was committed while he was on bail. In November 2023 Judge Bernadette Owens criticised him for missing three probation appointments and said she was minded to impose a suspended prison term, but no final sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Justin McCleary, a 21-year-old man, appeared in court on six charges of trespass, theft and public order offences.
  • The first alleged offence was public intoxication and threatening behaviour at Main Street, Ballymahon.
  • Kerosene worth €200 was allegedly stolen during the alleged trespass at the Maria Edgeworth Centre.
Where
The article gives his address as Lacken, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.
When
  • The six alleged offences are dated between August and October of the previous year, which the article places in 2022.
  • The first alleged offence took place on 31 August 2022.
  • The article was published on 20 November 2023, though its metadata gives 19 November 2023.
Charges
  • He was charged with allegedly trespassing at the Maria Edgeworth Centre in Edgeworthstown, just over three weeks after the first alleged offence.
  • He was charged with trespassing at the Mostrim Arms, Main Street, Edgeworthstown.
  • The last alleged offence, at The Green, Edgeworthstown, involved the alleged unlawful taking of a vehicle, which state prosecutors say was committed while he was on bail.
Cause
Judge Bernadette Owens criticised him after he missed three probation service appointments.
In court
  • The judge said Mr McCleary had simply run rings around everybody.
  • The defence solicitor said he would have missed only one appointment had he not been at job interviews.
Sentence
The judge said she was minded to impose a suspended prison term, and no final sentence is reported.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA judge accused a Longford man of running rings around the court on trespass, theft and public order charges. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe first offence was alleged public intoxication and threatening behaviour at Main Street, Ballymahon. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatKerosene worth €200 was allegedly stolen during the Maria Edgeworth Centre trespass. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe man was facing six charges dating between August and October last year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe first alleged offence took place on 31 August last year. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe judge's criticism followed the man missing three probation service appointments. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with allegedly trespassing at the Maria Edgeworth Centre in Edgeworthstown. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with trespassing at the Mostrim Arms, Main Street, Edgeworthstown. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe last alleged offence, at The Green, Edgeworthstown, resulted in the unlawful taking of a vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said Mr McCleary had simply run rings around everybody. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defence solicitor said he would have missed only one appointment had he not been at job interviews. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said she was minded to impose a suspended prison term. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherState prosecutors claim the last alleged offence was committed while he was on bail. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Nov2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Judge slams Longford man for ‘running rings around’ court

    Court appearance of Justin McCleary on six charges. Judge criticised his missed probation appointments and said she was minded to impose a suspended prison term. No final sentence is reported.

    accused, Justin McCleary, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Justin McCleary