Ireland Man jailed for theft of bag from elderly man at Portlaoise Shopping Centre
Paul O'Shea, 59, admitted a charge of theft after an elderly man, estimated to be in his late 70s, reported that his bag containing a phone and passport had been stolen at Portlaoise Shopping Centre on April 19. Gardaí identified him on CCTV, and he was arrested in Lyster Square that day while in possession of the phone; the passport was never recovered. At Portlaoise District Court, the judge rejected his €400 offer as an insult given the impact on the victim. Reported on 16 June 2023, he was jailed for six months with the final three months suspended for two years, and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced16 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul O'Shea, 59, admitted a charge of theft from an elderly man in Portlaoise.
- The elderly victim reported that his bag containing a phone and passport had been stolen.
- Where
- The theft took place at Portlaoise Shopping Centre.
- When
- The theft is reported to have taken place on April 19; the article does not state the year.
- Other details
- The victim is an elderly man, estimated to be in his late 70s.
- The passport was thrown in a bin with the bag and was never recovered.
- The accused's solicitor said he was admitting guilt.
- Investigation
- Gardaí identified the accused on viewing CCTV.
- The accused was arrested in Lyster Square within an hour of the bag being taken, and was in possession of the phone at the time.
- In court
- Prosecutors said the accused has a litany of convictions and was a prolific burglar.
- The judge rejected the accused's €400 offer, calling it an insult given the impact on the victim.
- Sentence
- The accused was jailed for six months, with the final three months suspended for two years.
- Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man was jailed for a theft from an elderly man in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatAn elderly man reported that his bag containing a phone and passport had been stolen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe accused admitted a charge of theft at Portlaoise Shopping Centre on April 19. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí identified the accused on viewing CCTV. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe accused was in possession of the phone when arrested in Lyster Square that day. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the €400 offered by the accused was an insult given the impact on the victim. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe accused was jailed for six months, with the final three months suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe victim was an elderly man, estimated to be in his late 70s. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe passport was thrown in a bin with the bag and was never recovered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused was arrested within an hour of the bag being taken. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused's solicitor said he was admitting guilt. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said the defendant has a litany of convictions and was a prolific burglar. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Jun2023‘Despicable’ theft from elderly man in Portlaoise
Court report on sentencing: the accused pleaded guilty, the judge called the crime despicable and rejected a €400 offer, and he was jailed for six months with the last three suspended. Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal. No earlier report of this case appears in the existing cases.
convicted, Paul O'Shea, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul O'Sheavictim, late 70s, male