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. 10035Unauthorised possession of a firearm and harassment · Co. Laois · 2 Dec 2024

Man pleads guilty to unauthorised firearm possession and harassment in Mountrath, Laois

On December 2, 2024, at The Rock in Mountrath, Laois, a man allegedly sent threatening messages, including a video of himself loading a firearm, to another man. The suspect is James Delaney, a 40-year-old man of Derrynaseera, Coolrain, Mountrath. Delaney pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to unauthorised possession of a double barrel shotgun and to harassment, with a probation report and a restorative justice report before the court. The case was adjourned to April 20 for finalisation, and no sentence has been reported yet.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted17 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The harassment took place at The Rock, Mountrath, Laois.
When
The offences took place on December 2, 2024.
What happened
The suspect is James Delaney, a 40-year-old man of Derrynaseera, Coolrain, Mountrath.
Cause
A man allegedly sent threatening messages, including a video of himself loading a firearm, to another man.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby described the messages to the court.
Weapon
The firearm was an under and over 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, said to have been decommissioned.
Charges
James Delaney pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of the shotgun and to harassment.
In court
  • The guilty plea was entered at Portlaoise District Court, where a probation report and a restorative justice report were before the court.
  • The case was adjourned to April 20 for finalisation.
Other details
  • The probation report indicated the defendant was at low risk of reoffending.
  • The injured party did not want to make a victim impact statement but wanted a letter of apology.
  • The judge ordered that €300 be donated to the Portlaoise Garda community bus initiative.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe harassment took place at The Rock, Mountrath. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on December 2, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe man allegedly sent threatening messages, including a video of himself loading a firearm, to another man. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeJames Delaney pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of an under and over 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and to harassment. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA guilty plea had been entered, and a probation report and a restorative justice report were before the court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to April 20 for finalisation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe gun was said to have been decommissioned. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe probation report indicated the defendant was at low risk of reoffending. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe injured party did not want to make a victim impact statement but wanted a letter of apology. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge ordered that €300 be donated to the Portlaoise Garda community bus initiative. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2026
    Convictedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Unauthorised firearm holder harassed man in Laois

    Reports the guilty plea at Portlaoise District Court, the reports before the court, the victim's request for an apology, and the adjournment to April 20 for finalisation.

    convicted, James Delaney, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Delaneyvictim, male