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. 17306Burglary; theft; unauthorised taking of a vehicle; unlawful interference with a vehicle · Co. Laois

Man appears in court accused of multiple burglary and theft offences in Laois

Stephen Kelly, 34, of Castlecomer, Kilkenny, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of burgling Durrow Garda Station in Laois. He is also accused of a series of burglary, theft, vehicle interference and unauthorised vehicle taking offences at locations across Laois, all alleged to have occurred on April 28 and 29, 2024. The appearance was reported on May 7 and May 10, 2024. The latest development is that the case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 20, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Stephen Kelly, 34, of Castlecomer, Kilkenny, appeared in court accused of burgling Durrow Garda Station in Laois.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Durrow Garda Station, Vicarstown in Stradbally, Kilminchy in Portlaoise, O'Daly Terrace and Slieve Bloom Heights in Rathdowney, Showgrounds in Rathdowney, Durrow Road in Ballacolla and Hunters Lodge in Emo.
When
The alleged offences are dated April 28 and 29, 2024.
Charges
  • He is accused of unlawfully interfering with a vehicle at Vicarstown, Stradbally between April 28 and 29, 2024, and of theft of an FM transmitter valued at €15 in Kilminchy, Portlaoise on April 29.
  • He is accused of unlawfully interfering with a vehicle at O'Daly Terrace, Rathdowney on April 29, and of the same offence at three separate addresses in Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney on the same date.
  • He is accused of burglary at Showgrounds, Rathdowney, and of unauthorised taking of a vehicle at the same location, on April 29, 2024.
  • He is accused of burglary at Durrow Road, Ballacolla on April 29.
  • He is accused of interfering with a vehicle and theft at Hunters Lodge, Emo between April 28 and 29.
  • He is accused of burglary at Durrow Garda Station on April 28.
Investigation
The sources do not say when or how he was arrested.
In court
  • He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, as reported by Leinster Express on May 7, 2024 and Offaly Express on May 10, 2024.
  • The case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 20, 2024.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported, as the case is at an early stage.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man appeared in court accused of burgling Durrow Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of unlawfully interfering with a vehicle at Vicarstown, Stradbally between April 28 and 29, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of theft of an FM transmitter valued at €15 in Kilminchy, Portlaoise on April 29. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of unlawfully interfering with a vehicle at O'Daly Terrace, Rathdowney on April 29. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of interfering with a vehicle at three separate addresses in Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney on April 29. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of burglary at Showgrounds, Rathdowney and unauthorised taking of a vehicle at the same location on April 29, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of burglary at Durrow Road, Ballacolla on April 29. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of interfering with a vehicle and theft at Hunters Lodge, Emo between April 28 and 29. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of burglary at Durrow Garda Station on April 28. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of burgling Durrow Garda Station in Laois. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of the same offence at three separate addresses in Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney on April 29. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtStephen Kelly, 34, of Castlecomer, Kilkenny, appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 20, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtStephen Kelly appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 May2024
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man appears in court accused of burgling garda station in the Midlands

    Court appearance in Portlaoise over multiple alleged offences in Laois on April 28-29, 2024, with a 34-year-old Castlecomer man named as Stephen Kelly. Different incidents, dates and court from existing case 16585 (Kilkenny theft charges), so not matched.

    accused, Stephen Kelly, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Kelly
  2. 7 May2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man accused of burgling garda station in Laois

    Reports Stephen Kelly's appearance at Portlaoise District Court, lists the specific charges and locations, and states the case was adjourned to June 20, 2024.

    accused, Stephen Kelly, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Kelly