Thursday 29 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. 11354Theft · Co. Kilkenny

Man jailed for 14 months over Kilkenny City thefts

Michael Phelan pleaded guilty to six theft offences at retail premises in Kilkenny City on dates in September 2025, stealing items including perfumes and clothes. His solicitor said the thefts were committed to fund a drugs addiction and that he was under serious pressure at the time. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison, as reported on 27 January 2026, and is already serving an 18-month sentence for affray. The latest development is that sentence, which Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed after considering his 27 previous convictions and their effect on Kilkenny businesses.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michael Phelan pleaded guilty to six theft offences.
  • The items stolen included perfumes and clothes.
Where
The offences took place at retail premises in Kilkenny City.
When
  • The offences took place on dates in September 2025.
  • The sentence was reported on 27 January 2026.
Cause
The solicitor said the thefts were committed to fund a drugs addiction.
Other details
  • The solicitor said the defendant was under serious pressure at the time of the offences.
  • The defendant wished to apologise to the court.
  • The defendant is attending a drugs and education course in prison.
  • The defendant has 27 previous convictions, including possession of stolen property, theft and burglary.
  • The defendant is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for affray.
In court
Judge Geraldine Carthy said she had to take into account the effect of the defendant's previous offending on Kilkenny businesses.
Sentence
The defendant was sentenced to 14 months in prison.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Phelan pleaded guilty to six theft offences. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe items stolen included perfumes and clothes. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at retail premises in Kilkenny City. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates in September 2025. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeThe solicitor said the thefts were committed to fund a drugs addiction. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy said she had to take into account the effect of the defendant's previous offending on Kilkenny businesses. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to 14 months in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the defendant was under serious pressure at the time of the offences. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant wished to apologise to the court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant is attending a drugs and education course in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 27 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for affray. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jan2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Judge hands down 14-month sentence for Kilkenny thefts

    Reports the guilty plea, the 14-month sentence and the judge's remarks at sentencing, plus the defendant's previous convictions, the solicitor's mitigation that the thefts funded a drugs addiction, and his current prison sentence for affray.

    convicted, Michael Phelan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Phelan