Saturday 31 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. 20067Theft · Co. Westmeath

Man remanded in custody over alleged theft of 70 mobile phones in Athlone

Mark Quinn, a 36-year-old man, is accused of stealing 70 mobile phones worth €25,000 from Fone Zone, 3 The Bawn, Athlone, and of two other offences in Athlone in April. He is accused of trespassing to commit theft at Hera Foods, Golden Island, Athlone, on April 6, and of threatening to burn down Fone Zone on April 28. At a District Court hearing reported on August 10 and 11, 2023, he appeared by video link, the DPP sought his remand in custody, and the matter could only be dealt with on a signed guilty plea. Judge Brendan O'Reilly remanded him in custody and adjourned the case to August 24.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mark Quinn is accused of stealing 70 mobile phones valued at €25,000.
Where
  • The phones were allegedly taken from Fone Zone, 3 The Bawn, Athlone.
  • The alleged trespass to commit theft took place at Hera Foods, Golden Island, Athlone.
When
  • The Hera Foods trespass is alleged to have taken place on April 6.
  • One report dates the Fone Zone trespass to April 20, but the date text is garbled and no year is given.
  • The threat to burn down Fone Zone is alleged to have been made on April 28; the reports give no year.
Charges
  • He is accused of trespassing to commit theft at Hera Foods, Golden Island, Athlone.
  • He is accused of trespassing to commit an offence at Fone Zone, 3 The Bawn, Athlone; the reports do not name that offence.
  • He is accused of threatening to burn down Fone Zone on April 28.
In court
  • He appeared by video link before the District Court, where the DPP asked that he be remanded in custody.
  • The DPP said the matter could only be dealt with in the District Court on a signed guilty plea.
  • His solicitor said he needed to take instructions from his client before the matter could progress.
  • Judge Brendan O'Reilly adjourned the matter to August 24 and remanded him in custody.
Investigation
The judge ordered that disclosure of the evidence be made to the defendant's solicitor.
Other details
Reports of the remand hearing were published by Longford-based outlets on August 10 and 11, 2023.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMark Quinn is accused of stealing seventy mobile phones valued at €25,000. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe phones were allegedly taken from Fone Zone at 3 The Bawn, Athlone. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged theft of the phones took place at Fone Zone, 3 The Bawn, Athlone. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereMark Quinn is accused of trespassing to commit theft at Hera Foods, Golden Island Athlone, on April 6. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged Hera Foods trespass took place on April 6. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMr Quinn is accused of trespassing to commit theft at Hera Foods, Golden Island, Athlone. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeMr Quinn is accused of threatening to burn down Fone Zone on April 28. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe DPP said the matter could only be dealt with in the District Court on a signed guilty plea. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMr Quinn appeared by video link and the DPP asked that he be remanded in custody. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor for the defendant said he needed to take instructions from his client before the matter could progress. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to August 24 and remanded the defendant in custody. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered disclosure to be made to the defendant's solicitor. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe DPP asked for Mr Quinn, who appeared by video link, to be remanded in custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter could only be dealt with in the District Court on a signed guilty plea. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Brendan O'Reilly adjourned the matter to 24 August and remanded the defendant in custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMr Quinn will appear by video link on 24 August and disclosure is to be made to his solicitor. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMark Quinn is accused of making a threat to burn down Fone Zone on April 28. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Aug2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man who allegedly stole 70 mobile phones in the Midlands and threatened to burn down store remanded in custody

    Reports the District Court remand in custody, the adjournment to 24 August, the threat to burn down Fone Zone on 28 April, and a separate alleged theft at Hera Foods on 6 April.

    accused, Mark Quinn, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Quinn
  2. 9 Aug2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Man who allegedly stole €25,000 worth of mobile phones and threatened to burn down store remanded in custody, Longford court hears

    Reports the District Court remand hearing: Mark Quinn appeared by video link, was remanded in custody to August 24, and his solicitor was ordered to receive disclosure. The article gives the Hera Foods trespass as April 6 and the threat as April 28, but no year.

    accused, Mark Quinn, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Quinn