Ireland Man pleads guilty to theft, drug and public order offences at Portlaoise court
Bernard McDonagh (30), of Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise, was accused of theft, drug possession and public order offences in Laois dating from May to October 2025. Alleged incidents include a theft from Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on 2 September, drugs found during a search at Market Square on 5 September, a theft from Penney's in Portlaoise on 27 September, and a theft from Mulhall's Supervalu in Portlaoise on 10 October. He pleaded guilty to all the offences at Portlaoise District Court, which was reported on 2 August 2026, and Judge Andrew Cody ordered a probation and welfare report and clean urine samples. The case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on 11 November.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted2 Aug
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Bernard McDonagh is alleged to have stolen items from Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on 2 September 2025.
- He is alleged to have stolen clothing valued at €100 from Penney's in Portlaoise on 27 September.
- He is alleged to have stolen two cans of Jack Daniels valued at €7.30 from an off licence on the Mountmellick Road.
- He is alleged to have stolen groceries valued at €80 from Mulhall's Supervalu in Portlaoise on 10 October.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found drugs valued at €20 when he was searched at Market Square on 5 September.
- Charges
- He was accused of theft, drug possession and public order offences dating from May to October 2025.
- In court
- He pleaded guilty to all the offences at Portlaoise District Court and appeared without a solicitor due to the ongoing legal aid dispute.
- The court heard he has 41 previous convictions, including theft, assault and burglary.
- Judge Andrew Cody ordered a probation and welfare report and asked for clean urine samples for July, August, September and October.
- Sentence
- The case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on 11 November; no sentence has been reported.
- Other details
- The Laois court report was published on 2 August 2026.
- The article reports that the man's child was killed in a traffic accident in Portlaoise and that he said he had boxed for Ireland.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe allegedly took clothing valued at €100 from Penney's in Portlaoise on 27 September. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe allegedly stole two cans of Jack Daniels valued at €7.30 from an off licence on the Mountmellick Road. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe allegedly stole groceries valued at €80 from Mulhall’s Supervalu in Portlaoise on 10 October. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenHe allegedly went into Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on 2 September and stole items. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí found drugs valued at €20 when he was searched at Market Square on 5 September. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was accused of theft, drug possession and public order offences dating from May to October 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtBernard McDonagh pleaded guilty to all the offences at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe court heard he had 41 previous convictions, including theft, assault and burglary. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody ordered a probation and welfare report. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge asked for clean urine samples for July, August, September and October. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on 11 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHe appeared without a solicitor because of the ongoing legal aid dispute. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Aug2026Father of child killed in road accident pleads for chance at Laois court
Court report on the guilty plea and adjournment; the article gives several incident dates in September and October 2025 and reports the defendant's background, including his claim of recovery in the UK.
convicted, Bernard McDonagh, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bernard McDonagh