Friday 30 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. 15198Threatening or abusive behaviour · Co. Laois · 1 Jan 2024

Pensioner gets probation after threatening behaviour in Portlaoise supermarket

On January 1, 2024, at around 3.15pm, a 73-year-old man, Liam Greene, became irate in the Supervalu supermarket in Lyster Square, Portlaoise, after three self-service tills failed, and threatening and abusive behaviour followed. Greene, of Maryborough, Portlaoise, admitted the offence in court, and a report published on December 14, 2024 said the judge applied the Probation Act and directed that €250 be delivered to the shop worker. The latest reported development is that sentence, a probation order with the €250 payment, was made in court, with the report published on December 14, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 73-year-old man, Liam Greene, admitted engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.
Where
The incident took place in Supervalu, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
  • The incident took place on January 1, 2024, at around 3.15pm.
  • The article was published on December 14, 2024, and one note flags that date as conflicting with the January 1, 2024 incident date.
Cause
The man became irate after three self-service tills failed while a female shop worker was trying to help him.
Other details
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court that the man used offensive language towards the shop worker.
  • The man had previous convictions dating back to 2005.
In court
  • His solicitor said the man wanted to apologise and had brought €250 to court.
  • The judge described the incident as unacceptable.
Sentence
  • The judge applied the Probation Act.
  • The judge directed that the €250 be delivered to the shop worker.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA pensioner admitted engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour in a supermarket. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in Supervalu, Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on January 1, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened at around 3.15pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe man became irate after three self-service tills failed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtHis solicitor said the man wanted to apologise and had brought €250 to court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the incident as unacceptable. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed that the €250 be delivered to the shop worker. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge applied the Probation Act. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had previous convictions dating back to 2005. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Dec2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Pensioner in the Midlands in court after becoming irate when self service tills in supermarket wouldn’t work

    The article gives the incident date as January 1, 2024, which conflicts with its December 2024 publication date and the New Year's Day reference. The incident is a different case from the Market Square, Portlaoise incident involving Aaron Martley (id 14810).

    convicted, Liam Greene, 73, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam Greene