Ireland Man fails to appear in court over Laois storage unit burglary
Two men were allegedly caught red handed breaking into storage units at Goldfinch Storage on Green Road, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, on 12 July 2026. Leon Thompson (24, male) is accused of unauthorised carriage and burglary, and Andrew Byrne (40, male) is charged with handling stolen property, burglary and unauthorised carriage in a stolen vehicle. Thompson was granted bail on 13 July after his father produced €500 in cash, despite Garda objection, but he failed to appear in court when due back, the judge forfeited the cash to the State, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, as reported on 25 July. Byrne was given consent to bail but could not raise the €2,500 needed, appeared by video link and said he would apply for bail at the High Court, and the case against both men was adjourned to 27 July, when the judge wanted to know whether they were pleading guilty or not.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two men were allegedly caught red handed breaking into storage units in Laois.
- Where
- The burglary took place at Goldfinch Storage on Green Road, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, County Laois.
- When
- The burglary took place on 12 July 2026.
- Other details
- One suspect is Leon Thompson, a man aged 24.
- The other suspect is Andrew Byrne, a man aged 40.
- On 27 July the judge wanted to know whether the accused were pleading guilty or not.
- Charges
- Leon Thompson is accused of unauthorised carriage and burglary.
- Andrew Byrne is charged with handling stolen property, burglary and unauthorised carriage in a stolen vehicle.
- In court
- Leon Thompson was granted bail on 13 July after his father produced €500 in cash, despite Garda objection.
- Leon Thompson failed to turn up in court when he was due to appear again, and the judge forfeited the cash to the State.
- A bench warrant was issued for Leon Thompson's arrest, as reported on 25 July.
- Andrew Byrne was given consent to bail but could not raise the €2,500 needed.
- Andrew Byrne appeared by video link and said he would apply for bail at the High Court.
- The case was adjourned to 27 July.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men were allegedly caught red handed breaking into storage units in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe burglary took place at Goldfinch Storage on Green Road, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe burglary took place on 12 July 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeLeon Thompson is accused of unauthorised carriage and burglary. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeAndrew Byrne is charged with handling stolen property, burglary and unauthorised carriage in a stolen vehicle. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtLeon Thompson was granted bail after his father produced €500 in cash on 13 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtLeon Thompson failed to turn up in court when he was due to appear again. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge forfeited the cash to the State. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtA bench warrant was issued for Leon Thompson's arrest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtAndrew Byrne was given consent to bail but could not raise the €2,500 needed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtAndrew Byrne appeared by video link and said he would apply for bail at the High Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 27 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge wanted to know on 27 July whether the accused were pleading guilty or not. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Jul2026Man fails to appear in court over Laois storage unit burglary
Reports that Leon Thompson failed to appear in court, that a bench warrant was issued, and that co-accused Andrew Byrne was charged and adjourned to 27 July.
accused, Leon Thompson, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Leon Thompsonaccused, Andrew Byrne, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Byrne