Sunday 1 November 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. 23526Burglary · Co. Laois · 25 Oct 2021

Man sentenced for burglary of curates house in Portlaoise

Gavin Swayne, 21, of Portlaoise, was sentenced to four months in prison at Portlaoise District Court for burgling a curates house at Tower Hill, Portlaoise, on 25 October 2021, during which a priest's collar was stolen. He was identified by blood stains he left at the scene.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGavin Swayne admitted burgling the curates house at Tower Hill, Portlaoise, on 25 October 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA rear door glass panel was broken by the burglar. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe burglar left blood stains at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA priest's collar was stolen from the house. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationHe was detected by the garda forensics team. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody sentenced him to four months in prison to be served on top of his current sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 50 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe is currently serving a sentence with a release date in 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had been using drugs and had little recollection of the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe has returned to education in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Dec2022
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Stole priest’s collar in burglary at Portlaoise Curates House

    Gavin Swayne pleaded guilty to burgling the curates house at Tower Hill, Portlaoise, on 25 October 2021, stealing a priest's collar. He was identified by blood stains at the scene. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him to four months in prison to be served on top of his existing sentence. He has 50 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence with a release date in 2025.

    convicted, Gavin Swayne, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gavin Swayne