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. 13950Trespassing to commit theft · Co. Longford · 29 Mar 2025

Longford man denied bail over Mekong restaurant theft

Robbie O'Haire, 43, of Camlin Mews, Longford, was charged with entering the Mekong restaurant on Lower Main Street, Longford, as a trespasser to commit theft on 29 March 2025. The State relies on CCTV showing a man going through the counter top at 2am, while the defence says the footage is dark and not conclusive proof of identity; he made no reply when questioned and maintains his innocence. He was denied bail before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, where the judge found the section 2 Bail Act 1997 threshold covered but not the O'Callaghan Rules threshold. He was remanded in custody for prosecution directions and will appear by videolink.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was charged with entering the Mekong restaurant as a trespasser to commit theft.
Where
The restaurant is Mekong on Lower Main Street, Longford.
When
The incident happened on 29 March 2025, at about 2am according to CCTV.
Other details
  • The accused is named as Robbie O'Haire, 43, of Camlin Mews, Longford, though a State witness refers to him as Robert O'Haire.
  • The float and a tip jar with coins were taken, and the prosecution accepted the value of the items was at the lower end.
Investigation
  • The State relies on CCTV showing a man going through the counter top at 2am.
  • The defence says the CCTV is dark and far from conclusive proof of identity.
  • The accused made no reply when questioned by gardaí and maintains his innocence.
Charges
He was charged with entering Mekong as a trespasser to commit theft, an allegation he denies.
In court
  • He was denied bail before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, with Sergeant Enda Daly for the State.
  • The State opposed bail under the O'Callaghan Rules and section 2 of the Bail Act 1997; the judge found the O'Callaghan threshold was not met but the section 2 threshold was covered.
  • He was remanded in custody for prosecution directions; one report gives the remand date as April 15, 2024, which appears to be a typo for 2025.
  • He will appear by videolink.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe premises was Mekong on Lower Main Street, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 29 March 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe State relied on CCTV showing a man going through the counter top at 2am. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe accused made no reply when questioned by gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe defence says the CCTV is dark and far from conclusive proof of identity. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with entering Mekong restaurant as a trespasser to commit theft. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHe was denied bail before Judge Bernadette Owens. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe State opposed bail under O'Callaghan Rules and section 2 of the Bail Act 1997. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge was not satisfied the O'Callaghan Rules threshold was met but found the section 2 threshold was covered. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody for prosecution directions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant will appear by videolink. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe float and a tip jar with coins were taken in the robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution accepted the value of the items taken was at the lower end. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused maintains his innocence. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2025
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Man accused of Longford restaurant theft who is 'protesting his innocence' denied bail

    Reports a bail hearing before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, where bail was refused and the accused was remanded in custody. Adds the charge details, the State's CCTV evidence, the bail objections and the defence response. The article gives the remand date as April 15, 2024, which appears to be a typo for 2025. It names the accused as Robbie O'Haire, though the State's witness refers to him as Robert O'Haire.

    accused, Robbie O'Haire, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robbie O'Haire