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. 11703Theft · Co. Laois

Man accused of stealing €1,345 from Department of Social Protection in Portlaoise remanded in custody

Ionel Horbas, 26, appeared at Portlaoise District Court accused of stealing €1,345.50 from the Department of Social Protection at EBS, Main Street, Portlaoise, on five dates between December 2020 and November 2025. He was arrested at Dublin Airport, remanded in custody, and the case was adjourned to March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is alleged to have stolen €1,345.50 belonging to the Department of Social Protection. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged thefts took place at EBS on Main Street, Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged thefts occurred on five dates between December 2020 and 19 November 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Karen Nevin said she arrested the accused at Dublin Airport. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí alerted to the accused flying in from the UK before his arrest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were preparing a file for the DPP. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was also accused of failing to pay a fine for not having a TV licence at the Portlaoise address. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the accused in custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 23 March 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused's counsel said the accused had not been aware of the fine and that it would be paid by the end of court that day. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had an address in London, and gardaí did not believe he had a current Irish address. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Dec2025
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man who allegedly stole €1,345 from Department of Social Protection in Midlands arrested at airport

    Court appearance for an accused arrested at Dublin Airport; case adjourned to 23 March 2026 and the defendant remanded in custody. The article also covers an unpaid €220 TV licence fine from 2020.

    accused, Ionel Horbas, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ionel Horbas