Ireland Pair sent to Circuit Court over aggravated burglary in Portlaoise
Eduard Ionut, a 26-year-old man, and Jovita Zakariene, a 42-year-old woman, are accused of aggravated burglary at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise, on 2 November 2025. Ionut faces charges of aggravated burglary and possession of a baton, while Zakariene is charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and providing a false statement to gardaí. Both were remanded on bail at successive hearings in Portlaoise District Court between November 2025 and February 2026. A book of evidence was served on Ionut in March 2026, and Judge Catherine Ryan sent the case forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court for trial.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court19 Nov
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Eduard Ionut is accused of aggravated burglary and possession of a baton at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise.
- Jovita Zakariene is accused of conspiracy to commit burglary and providing a false statement to gardaí.
- Where
- The alleged offences took place at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise, County Laois.
- When
- The alleged burglary took place on 2 November 2025.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court a large file had been compiled on the matter.
- Charges
- Detective Garda Gerard Galwey said Ionut was further charged in relation to the investigation and he made no reply.
- In court
- Both defendants were remanded on bail at successive hearings in Portlaoise District Court between November 2025 and February 2026.
- A book of evidence was served on Ionut at Portlaoise District Court in March 2026.
- Judge Catherine Ryan sent the case forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court for trial.
- Other details
- Legal aid for two counsel was granted given the seriousness of the charge.
- The judge issued an alibi warning.
35 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEduard Ionut is accused of burglary at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA man was accused of aggravated burglary and possession of a baton in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA book of evidence was served on a man accused of aggravated burglary in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe burglary was at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe burglary took place at Room 4, Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe alleged offences took place at Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe aggravated burglary took place at Ballycarnan Lodge, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged burglary took place on 2 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe burglary took place on 2 November. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences took place on November 2, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 2 November 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationDPP directions are awaited in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a large file had been compiled on the matter. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Gerard Galwey said the accused was further charged in relation to the investigation and made no reply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeEduard Ionut is accused of burglary. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeEduard Ionut is accused of aggravated burglary and possession of a baton. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeJovita Zakariene is accused of conspiring to commit burglary and of providing a false statement to gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeTwo charges were in the book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeCo-accused Jovita Zakariene faces charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and providing a false report to Gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused was ordered to stay out of Laois except for court appearances. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said there was consent to bail subject to terms and conditions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused agreed to sign on at Lucan Garda Station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused agreed not to contact any witness or injured party in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Susan Fay granted bail and remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused is due to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on 15 December. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on 15 February 2026 for DPP directions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Stephanie Coggans remanded both defendants on bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtBoth defendants were due back before Portlaoise District Court on March 16 for service of the book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtA garda gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on the defendant at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtGardaí said there was a co-accused in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge noted the book had been served and sent the case forward to the Circuit Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused's mother was prepared to provide an independent surety or €2,000. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThere was a co-accused in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherLegal aid for two counsel was granted given the seriousness of the charge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge issued an alibi warning. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Mar2026Pair face trial in connection with alleged aggravated burglary in Laois
Adds the names, ages and addresses of the two accused, the charges against each, and the court steps: a book of evidence was served, the DPP consented to trial, and the case was sent forward to the Circuit Court with an alibi warning.
accused, Eduard Ionut, 26, male, namedEduard Ionutaccused, Jovita Zakariene, 42, namedJovita Zakariene - 18 Feb2026Man accused of aggravated burglary in Portlaoise
Names both accused, gives their ages and addresses, and adds a co-accused charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and providing a false statement. Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded both on bail to March 16 for service of the book of evidence.
accused, Eduard Ionut, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Eduard Ionutaccused, Jovita Zakariene, 42, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jovita Zakariene - 17 Dec2025Man accused of burglary in Portlaoise
Court report that DPP directions are awaited, the Garda file is described as large, and the case is adjourned to 15 February 2026. Does not mention co-accused Jovita Zakariene or the aggravated charge.
accused, Eduard Ionut, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Eduard Ionut - 19 Nov2025Burglary accused ordered to stay out of Laois
Bail hearing at Portlaoise District Court: Eduard Ionut was granted bail with consent, with conditions to stay out of Laois, sign on at Lucan Garda Station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and not contact any witness or injured party. He was remanded to appear again on 15 December.
accused, Eduard Ionut, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Eduard Ionut