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. 16394Public intoxication · Co. Laois · 28 May 2024

Man fined €400 for being drunk in Portlaoise

Ross O'Keeffe (30), with an address in Mountmellick, was arrested for being drunk in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co Laois, on 28 May 2024. At Portlaoise District Court, Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said he had 75 previous convictions, and his solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, said he had lost his accommodation and turned to drink. Judge Andrew Cody fined him €400 and granted legal aid, as reported in early August 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ross O'Keeffe (30) was arrested for being drunk in Portlaoise.
Where
The arrest took place in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The arrest took place on 28 May 2024.
Cause
  • His solicitor said he had been asked to leave his accommodation and had nowhere to go.
  • His solicitor said he turned to drink and was then arrested.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court; the report was published on 4 August 2024, though the archive lists 2 August 2024.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody fined him €400 and granted legal aid.
Other details
Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes told the court he had 75 previous convictions.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was arrested for being drunk in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe arrest took place in Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe arrest took place on May 28, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe man had lost his accommodation and had been asked to leave. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe man turned to drink after losing his accommodation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fined the man €400 and granted legal aid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 75 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Aug2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man was arrested for being drunk in Laois

    Court report on a drunkenness arrest in Portlaoise; the man was fined €400 and granted legal aid. No existing case matches this incident.

    convicted, Ross O'Keeffe, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ross O'Keeffe