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. 16792Breach of Covid-19 regulations · Co. Laois · 6 Jan 2021

Man in court over breach of Covid-19 regulations

Jamie Flynn (30), of Athy, Co Kildare, was stopped at St John's Square, Portlaoise, on January 6, 2021, while more than 5km from his home. He told Portlaoise District Court that he had breached Covid-19 regulations to get a blanket for his horse. He pleaded guilty, and the judge said he would strike the case out if he paid €250 to the court poor box. The money was paid and the case was struck out, as reported in July 2024.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man breached Covid-19 regulations to get a blanket for his horse.
  • The man admitted being more than 5km from his home when he was stopped.
Where
The man was stopped at St John's Square, Portlaoise.
When
  • The man was stopped on January 6, 2021.
  • The court report is dated 5 July 2024 in the article text, and 28 June 2024 in the article metadata.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby outlined the State's case in court.
Charges
The man pleaded guilty to breaching Covid-19 regulations.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
  • The judge said he would strike the case out if the man paid €250 to the court poor box.
  • The money was handed over and the case was struck out.
Other details
  • The man is 30 years old and is named as Jamie Flynn, of 24 Fairfield, Athy, Co Kildare.
  • The man had a few convictions, mainly for road traffic offences, and had not come to garda attention for four years.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man breached Covid-19 regulations to get a blanket for his horse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man admitted being more than 5km from his home when stopped. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe man was stopped at St John’s Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe man was stopped on January 6, 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Sergeant JJ Kirby outlined the State's case in court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted the guilty plea and said he would strike the case out if the man paid €250 to the court poor box. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe money was handed over and the case was struck out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had a few convictions, primarily for road traffic offences, and had not come to garda attention for four years. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jun2024
    Otherleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man in court over breach of Covid 19 regulations

    Court report on a guilty plea to a Covid-19 regulations breach; the case was struck out after a €250 payment to the court poor box. The article also says the man had a few convictions, mainly for road traffic offences.

    accused, Jamie Flynn, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jamie Flynn