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. 14907Threatening or abusive behaviour, obstructing gardaí and intoxication in a public place · Co. Laois · 29 Jul 2023

Man fined €300 for intoxicated, threatening behaviour towards gardaí in Portlaoise

On July 29, 2023, gardaí were involved in an incident in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, County Laois, involving John Egan, aged 44. Gardaí said he was shouting, waving his hands and told a garda to swear at them before attempting to strike the garda. Egan was charged with intoxication, threatening or abusive behaviour, and obstructing gardaí, and admitted all three at Portlaoise District Court, appearing by video link from Wheatfield Prison. The latest development is that he was fined €300, payable forthwith, with five days in default, with the sentence reported on January 17 and January 19, 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Egan, aged 44, admitted being intoxicated, threatening and abusive behaviour, and obstructing gardaí.
  • Gardaí said he was shouting, waving his hands and told a garda to swear at them before attempting to strike the garda.
Where
The incident happened in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
  • The incident happened on July 29, 2023.
  • The sentence was reported on January 17, 2025 in one version and published on January 19, 2025 in another.
Charges
He was charged with intoxication in a public place, threatening or abusive behaviour, and obstructing gardaí.
In court
  • He appeared at Portlaoise District Court via video link from Wheatfield Prison, where his solicitor Philip Meagher questioned him.
  • The judge noted the age of the offence and the guilty plea.
Other details
  • He told the court he was a recovering alcoholic with no memory of the matter but would plead guilty if it was him.
  • Gardaí said he had 20 previous convictions.
  • He was serving a sentence with a release date of February 18.
Sentence
He was fined €300, payable forthwith, with five days in default.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Egan admitted being intoxicated, threatening and abusive behaviour, and obstructing gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí said he was shouting, waving his hands and told a garda to swear at them before attempting to strike the garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened in Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on July 29, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe appeared in court via video link from Wheatfield Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted the age of the offence and the guilty plea. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €300, payable forthwith, with five days in default. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí said he had 20 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was serving a sentence with a release date of February 18. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jan2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man didn’t recall swearing at gardaí in Laois

    Reports the sentencing of John Egan for a July 2023 Portlaoise incident, where he was fined €300. This is a different incident from existing cases 9128 (31 May 2026) and 14241 (April 2024), which involve other John Egan incidents.

    convicted, John Egan, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Egan