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. 15493Criminal damage and theft · Co. Laois

Portlaoise man in court over car damage and swipe card theft

Zach Ward, a 19-year-old man from Clonad Road, Portlaoise, is accused of damaging the rear windows of a car at O'Gorman's Carpark, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, and of stealing a €50 swipe card from the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, on a date between August 24 and 28, 2023. Blood swabs taken from the scene led to his arrest, and he made no reply when charged at Portlaoise District Court, as reported on November 13, 2024. The solicitor asked for disclosure including CCTV, and the judge ordered disclosure and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 9.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Zach Ward, 19, is accused of damaging the rear windows of a car.
  • He is also accused of stealing a swipe card valued at €50 from the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.
Where
The car was at O'Gorman's Carpark, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, and the swipe card was taken from the same location, according to the report.
When
The offences are alleged to have happened on a date between August 24 and 28, 2023.
Investigation
Blood swabs taken from the scene led to the arrest of the accused.
Charges
Ward made no reply when charged in relation to the incident, according to Garda Paul Scanlan.
In court
  • He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby outlined the alleged offence.
  • The solicitor asked for disclosure in the case to include CCTV.
  • The judge ordered disclosure and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 9.
Other details
The case was first reported on November 13, 2024.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatZach Ward is accused of damaging the rear windows of a car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatHe is also accused of stealing a swipe card valued at €50 from the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe car was at O’Gorman’s Carpark, Kilminchy, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have happened on a date between August 24 and 28, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA blood swab from the scene led to the arrest of the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant made no reply when charged in relation to the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor asked for disclosure in the case to include CCTV. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered disclosure and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 9. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Nov2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Blood swabs taken at Laois car break-in result in teen appearing before court

    First report of this case. Adds the court appearance at Portlaoise District Court, the blood swab that led to the arrest, the request for CCTV disclosure, and the adjournment to December 9.

    accused, Zach Ward, 19, named, irish (judged from name)Zach Ward