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. 13753Failing to provide information to gardaí, obstructing a peace officer, possession of a knife, resisting arrest · Co. Laois · 20 May 2022

Man pepper sprayed outside Portlaoise Garda Station convicted

On 20 May 2022, gardaí say a silver Audi estate was driven at 115kph and did not stop for about three kilometres after blue lights were activated, and Alan McCabe, 42, was later accused of failing to provide information at The Money Tree, Mountrath. He was also accused of obstructing a peace officer, possession of a knife and resisting arrest outside Portlaoise Garda Station, where Garda King used pepper spray when he refused to get out of the car. Judge Andrew Cody convicted him at Portlaoise District Court, which reports published on 12 and 13 May 2025 said, fined him a total of €1,000 and disqualified him from driving for a year. The latest development is that the judge fixed recognisance for appeal at that sitting, and the defendant was not in court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A silver Audi estate was reportedly driven at 115kph towards Mountrath.
  • The car did not pull over for about three kilometres after blue flashing lights were activated.
  • The man became argumentative and uncooperative and said he did not have identification.
  • The man drove to Portlaoise Garda Station after saying he was leaving the scene.
  • Garda King used pepper spray when the man refused to get out of the car.
Where
  • The failing to provide information offence is alleged at The Money Tree, Mountrath, Co Laois.
  • The other alleged offences took place outside Portlaoise Garda Station, Co Laois.
When
The incident is dated 20 May 2022, and court reports were published on 12 and 13 May 2025.
Other details
  • The suspect is named in the reports as Alan McCabe, aged 42.
  • Gardaí also found blue lights, but no charge was brought in relation to the lights.
  • The defence said the client suffers from extreme mental health difficulties.
Weapon
A card that folds into a knife was found during a search of the man's wallet.
Charges
He was accused of failing to provide information to gardaí, obstructing a peace officer, possession of a knife and resisting arrest.
In court
Judge Andrew Cody convicted him at Portlaoise District Court, and he was not present in court.
Sentence
  • He was fined €500 for failing to provide information, €300 for possession of a knife and €200 for resisting arrest.
  • He was disqualified from driving for one year.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe car was driving at an excessive speed of 115kph. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe car failed to pull over for about three kilometres after blue flashing lights were activated. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man became argumentative and uncooperative and said he did not have identification. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man drove to Portlaoise Garda Station after saying he was leaving the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGarda King used pepper spray when the man refused to get out of the car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereA man was pepper sprayed as he refused to get out of a car for gardaí in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe man was accused of failing to provide information to gardaí at The Money Tree, Mountrath on May 20, 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponA card which folds into a knife was discovered during a search of the man's wallet. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was also accused of obstructing a peace officer and possession of a knife outside Portlaoise Garda Station on the same date. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody convicted the man and disqualified him from driving for a year for failing to provide information. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge fixed recognisance for appeal at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €500 for failing to provide information. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €300 for possession of a knife and €200 for resisting arrest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí also discovered blue lights, but there was no charge in relation to the lights. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the client suffers with extreme mental health difficulties. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 May2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man pepper sprayed outside Portlaoise Garda Station

    Reports the court outcome: conviction, one-year driving disqualification and fines, and that the judge fixed recognisance for appeal.

    convicted, Alan McCabe, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan McCabe