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. 11123Theft · Co. Kilkenny

Man jailed for theft of sportswear from Kilkenny shops

Between October 5 and October 31, 2025, John Sprice, 38, took sportswear and trainers from three sports shops in Kilkenny City, including Champion Sports in MacDonagh Junction, Elvery's Sports on Parliament Street and Sports Direct, and left without paying. He pleaded guilty to all charges. Judge Geraldine Carthy sentenced him to eight months in prison, backdated to when he first went into custody, with the other charges taken into consideration, as reported on February 6, 2026. None of the goods have been recovered.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Sprice, 38, was sent to prison for eight months for theft of soccer jerseys and other sportswear from shops in Kilkenny City.
  • On October 31, 2025, he took sports jerseys valued at €375 from Champion Sports and left without paying.
  • On October 15, 2025, he took a pair of trainers valued at €33 from the children's shoes area at Elvery's Sports, removed the security tags and left without paying.
  • On October 6, he took four Manchester United jerseys, four Liverpool jerseys and two other soccer jerseys valued at €950 from Sports Direct and left without paying.
Where
The thefts took place at Champion Sports in MacDonagh Junction shopping centre, Elvery's Sports on Parliament Street and Sports Direct in Kilkenny City.
When
The offences occurred between October 5 and October 31, 2025.
Investigation
CCTV showed him leaving Sports Direct with two Under Armour tops and trousers valued at €260 without paying.
Charges
  • He was charged with theft from Sports Direct, with one account dating the charge to October 5 and another dating the Sports Direct visit to October 6.
  • He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Other details
  • He made no effort to pay for the items before leaving the shops.
  • None of the goods were recovered, and the judge took into account the effect of the thefts on businesses in Kilkenny.
  • He had four previous convictions and was living rough in Kilkenny and Dublin at the time of the offences.
  • His solicitor said he started getting clean in early November, and he is the father of five children.
  • He wrote a letter of apology to the court.
Sentence
Judge Geraldine Carthy sentenced him to eight months, backdated to when he first went into custody, with the other charges taken into consideration.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was sent to prison for eight months for theft of soccer jerseys and other sportswear from shops in Kilkenny City. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatHe took sports jerseys valued at €375 and left without paying. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatHe took a pair of trainers from the children's shoes area, removed the security tags and left without paying. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe shoes were valued at €33. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed him leaving Sports Direct with two Under Armour tops and trousers valued at €260 without paying. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatHe picked up soccer jerseys, four each for Manchester United and Liverpool, and two others, valued at €950, and left without paying. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe clothing taken on October 6 was valued at €950. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereOn October 31, 2025, Sprice went into Champion Sports in MacDonagh Junction shopping centre. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereOn October 15, 2025, Sprice went into Elvery's Sports on Parliament Street. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenOn October 6, Sprice returned to Sports Direct. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeSprice was charged with theft from Sports Direct on October 5. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherJohn Sprice had pleaded guilty to all charges. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHe made no effort to pay for the items before leaving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherSprice had four previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherAt the time of the offences he was living rough in Kilkenny and Dublin. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherSprice started getting clean in early November, his solicitor said. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherSprice is 38 and the father of five children. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherSprice had written a letter of apology to the court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherJudge Geraldine Carthy noted that none of the goods had been recovered. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge took into account the effect of the thefts on businesses in Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Feb2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Man jailed for stealing Man U and Liverpool jerseys from Kilkenny shops

    Court report of the sentencing of John Sprice, 38, for several thefts from Kilkenny City sports shops between October 5 and October 31, 2025. He was sentenced to eight months, backdated to when he first went into custody, and the other charges were taken into consideration.

    convicted, John Sprice, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Sprice