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. 21541Theft (shoplifting); public order offence (threatening and abusive behaviour) · Co. Longford · 25 Mar 2023

Scottish man sentenced for shoplifting in Longford

Grant Rennie, a 26-year-old Scottish man of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a series of shoplifting offences and a public order charge spanning August 2022 to March 2023 in Longford. The offences included thefts at Aldi, Sports Direct, Spice India, and Dv8, with the most recent at Dv8 on 25 March 2023 occurring 48 hours after he received a four-month suspended sentence at Cloverhill District Court while on bail. He was arrested just over an hour after the Dv8 theft. Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court sentenced him to 15 months in prison with the final three months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Apr
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Grant Rennie, a 26-year-old Scottish man of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to multiple shoplifting offences and a public order charge.
  • He stole clothing worth €730 from Dv8, two CP company jackets and a hoodie worth over €1,000 from Sports Direct, a cash till valued at €800 containing €237 and €400 worth of alcoholic drinks from Spice India, and a €33 bottle of gin from Aldi.
  • At Spice India, he broke into the rear of the restaurant with a male accomplice shortly after 5am.
  • At Permanent TSB on Lower Main Street, staff were forced to lock themselves in an office due to his erratic behaviour.
Where
The offences took place at Dv8 on Ballymahon Street, Sports Direct, Spice India, Permanent TSB on Lower Main Street, and Aldi in Longford.
When
The offences spanned from 31 August 2022 at Aldi to 25 March 2023 at Dv8, with the Sports Direct theft reported on 22 January 2023.
Investigation
He was arrested just over an hour after the Dv8 theft.
Charges
He was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour at Permanent TSB.
In court
Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court heard the case.
Sentence
He was sentenced to 15 months in prison with the final three months suspended, equivalent to 12 months to serve.
Other details
The Dv8 theft occurred 48 hours after he received a four-month suspended sentence at Cloverhill District Court, and he was on bail at the time.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe took a number of items of clothing from the rails at Dv8. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe total value of items taken at Dv8 was €730. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatAt Sports Direct he stole two CP company jackets and a hoodie in a raid exceeding €1,000. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatNone of the Sports Direct items were recovered. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Spice India they took a cash till valued at €800 that contained €237. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe also stole €400 worth of alcoholic drinks at Spice India. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatAt Permanent TSB on Lower Main Street, staff were forced to lock themselves in an office due to his erratic behaviour. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Aldi he stole a bottle of gin priced at €33. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatGrant Rennie was sentenced to 12 months in prison for shoplifting offences. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatHe was handed a 15-month sentence with the final three months suspended. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatHe entered the Dv8 store shortly before 4:30pm and took clothing from the rails. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe Dv8 theft totalled €730. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Sports Direct he stole two CP company jackets and a hoodie worth over €1,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Spice India he broke into the rear of the restaurant with a male accomplice shortly after 5am. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Spice India they took a cash till valued at €800 containing €237. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatHe also stole €400 worth of alcoholic drinks from Spice India. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe most recent theft was at Dv8, Ballymahon Street, Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe Dv8 theft took place on 25 March 2023. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenHe entered the Dv8 store shortly before 4:30pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe first charge was reported on 22 January at Sports Direct, Ballymahon Street, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenAt Spice India he broke in with a male accomplice shortly after 5am. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenHe was charged with shoplifting at Aldi, Athlone Road, Longford on 31 August. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe Sports Direct theft was reported on 22 January 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe Aldi shoplifting occurred on 31 August 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested just over an hour after the Dv8 theft. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe Dv8 theft was one of five charges before the court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour at Permanent TSB. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceGrant Rennie was sentenced to 15 months in prison with the final three months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHe had been handed a four-month sentence suspended for two years at Cloverhill District Court 48 hours before the Dv8 theft. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Owens sentenced him to five months for the Sports Direct shoplifting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe was on bail at the time of the Dv8 theft. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe Dv8 theft occurred 48 hours after he received a suspended sentence at Cloverhill District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Apr2023
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Heroin addict in Midlands jailed for a year was handed suspended prison sentence just 48 hours before theft

    Reports the full sentencing details: five charges spanning August 2022 to March 2023, the previous 4-month suspended sentence from Cloverhill District Court handed down 48 hours before the most recent theft, the fact he was on bail, and the recognisances fixed by Judge Owens.

    accused, Grant Rennie, 26, male, Scottish, named, non-irishGrant Rennieaccused, male
  2. 5 Apr2023
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Heroin addict jailed for a year was only handed suspended prison sentence 48 hours before Longford theft, court hears

    Provides full sentencing breakdown (5 months for Sports Direct, 10 months consecutive for Dv8, 3 months suspended), the 48-hour gap between the Cloverhill suspended sentence and the Dv8 theft, specific values of stolen goods, the accomplice at Spice India, the bail status at the time of the Dv8 theft, and the possibility of an appeal with recognisances fixed.

    accused, Grant Rennie, 26, male, Scottish, named, non-irishGrant Rennieaccused, male