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. 8711Burglary and theft · Co. Laois · 5 Apr 2024

Man pleads guilty to Portlaoise burglary and thefts

Seamus Coss, 36, of 20 O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, is the accused in a burglary at a house on O'Moore Place on April 5, 2024, where a broken window and a cigarette were found on the windowsill. Between June 19 and October 29, 2025, he is alleged to have stolen clothing and alcohol from shops in Portlaoise, and LED lights from a garden in Maryborough Village on July 21, 2025. Gardaí identified him through DNA on the cigarette butt. In court reported on July 6, 2026, he pleaded guilty to the burglary and admitted the thefts, and the judge granted bail subject to strict conditions and adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on September 14.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted6 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Seamus Coss, 36, pleaded guilty to burglary at a house on O'Moore Place, Portlaoise.
  • Nothing was taken from the house in the burglary.
  • Seamus Coss admitted stealing from Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on several occasions.
  • Two jackets valued at €120 were stolen from Lifestyle Sports on October 29.
  • A t-shirt and shorts valued at €120 were stolen on July 21, 2025, and a jacket valued at €75 on June 19, 2025, both from Lifestyle Sports.
  • Alcohol valued at €52 was stolen from Carryout in Portlaoise.
  • Two LED lights valued at €20 were stolen from a garden in Maryborough Village, Portlaoise, on July 21, 2025.
Where
The burglary took place at a house on O'Moore Place, Portlaoise.
When
The burglary took place on April 5, 2024.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found a broken window and a cigarette on the windowsill of the house.
  • DNA from the cigarette butt was matched to Seamus Coss, according to the reports.
In court
  • The judge noted pleas in relation to all matters and said she would grant bail subject to strict conditions.
  • Bail conditions require Seamus Coss to sign on at a garda station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, observe a curfew between 9pm and 8am, reside at his address, and engage with Community Alcohol and Drug Services and probation services.
  • Seamus Coss was ordered to stay away from all sportswear shops, and the matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 14.
Other details
  • The judge asked that the owner of the LED lights be canvassed about restorative justice with Seamus Coss.
  • The solicitor said Seamus Coss had a difficult childhood and a positive probation report.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNothing was taken from the house in the burglary. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe accused admitted stealing from Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on several occasions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo jackets valued at €120 were stolen from Lifestyle Sports on October 29. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatAlcohol valued at €52 was stolen from Carryout in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo LED lights valued at €20 were stolen from a garden in Maryborough Village, Portlaoise, on July 21, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe burglary was at a house on O’Moore Place, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe burglary took place on April 5, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found a broken window and a cigarette on the windowsill of the house. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationDNA from the cigarette butt was matched to the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to burglary at the house on O’Moore Place. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted pleas in relation to all matters. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she would grant bail subject to strict conditions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 14. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused must sign on at a garda station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA curfew applies between 9pm and 8am, and the accused must reside at his address. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused must engage with Community Alcohol and Drug Services and the probation services. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was barred from all sportswear shops. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge asked that the owner of the LED lights be canvassed about restorative justice with the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the accused had a difficult childhood and a positive probation report. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Jul2026
    Convictedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    DNA from cigarette used to identify Laois burglary suspect

    Reports that Gardaí identified the suspect through DNA on a cigarette butt at the scene, that the accused pleaded guilty to the burglary and several thefts, and sets out bail conditions and the adjournment date.

    convicted, Seamus Coss, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seamus Coss