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. 16195Armed robbery · Co. Laois · 29 Mar 2024

Man arrested over armed robbery of shop in Esker Hills, Portlaoise

On 29 March 2024, a man entered a shop in Esker Hills, Portlaoise, Laois, threatened staff with what was believed to be a gun, and stole vapes and other items. Gardaí arrested a man in his mid 30s on the Wednesday evening, and he was detained at Portlaoise Garda Station while the Garda Water Unit searched a lake in Esker Hills believed to be connected to the investigation. He was later charged in connection with the armed robbery. He is due before Nenagh District Court on the morning of 30 August 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested30 Aug
  3. Charged30 Aug
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man entered a shop and threatened staff with what was believed to be a gun.
  • Vapes and other items were stolen during the robbery.
Where
The shop is in Esker Hills, Portlaoise, Laois.
When
The robbery took place on 29 March 2024.
Weapon
The man was believed to have a gun, and gardaí are looking for the weapon.
Investigation
  • A man in his mid 30s was arrested on the Wednesday evening by gardaí investigating the robbery.
  • The man is being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station.
  • The Garda Water Unit was searching a lake in Esker Hills, believed to be connected to the investigation.
Charges
The man was charged in connection with the armed robbery of the shop.
In court
The man was due before Nenagh District Court on the morning of 30 August 2024.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man entered the shop and threatened staff. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatVapes and other items were stolen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA man entered the shop and threatened staff with what was believed to be a gun. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatVapes and other items were stolen during the robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe shop was in Esker Hills, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at a shop in Esker Hills, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe robbery happened on March 29. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe robbery took place on March 29. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe man was believed to have a gun. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested on Wednesday evening by gardaí investigating the robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA man has been arrested by gardaí investigating the robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested on Wednesday evening and is being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda Water Unit is searching a lake in Esker Hills, believed to be connected to the arrest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are looking for the weapon used in the robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery of a shop in Portlaoise earlier this year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe man was due before Nenagh District Court on the morning of publication. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Aug2024
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man arrested in connection with armed robbery of shop in Laois

    Reports the arrest of a man in his mid 30s, who is detained at Portlaoise Garda Station, and a Garda Water Unit search of a lake in Esker Hills for the weapon.

    victimsuspect, mid 30s, male
  2. 30 Aug2024
    Chargedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man due in court over Laois armed robbery

    Reports the charge against a man in his mid 30s, arrested on Wednesday evening, and his scheduled court appearance.

    accused, mid 30s, male