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. 6528Possession of counterfeit goods with intent to distribute · Co. Longford

Stokes sentenced for counterfeit goods possession in Longford

Noreen Stokes, a 52-year-old woman from Edgeworthstown, County Longford, was charged with possessing 172 counterfeit designer items with intent to distribute after Gardaí searched her property on 18 November 2020. The seized goods, including 60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes and 11 Rolex watches from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry, were valued at approximately €4,800. The case was sent from Longford District Court to Circuit Court in March 2023, and Stokes was remanded in custody from January 2024. She pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court on 16 February 2024 and was sentenced to 14 months in prison with the final 12 months suspended, a €5,000 payment to the International Red Cross, and a ban on posting on social media or online sales platforms.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Jan
    5 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Feb
    3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The seized items included 60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes, 11 Rolex watches, 106 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items, and designer clothing from brands including Burberry, Christian Dior, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Ben Sherman, Gucci and Louboutin.
  • The State valued the haul at approximately €4,800 based on an average retail price of €30 per piece.
Where
The charges relate to 2 Auburn Park, Bracklin Road, Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
When
Gardaí searched Stokes's property on 18 November 2020.
Charges
Stokes was charged with nine counts of possessing counterfeit designer goods with intent to distribute, covering 172 items (some sources cite 163) between 1 January 2019 and 15 November 2020.
Investigation
Brands confirmed the items were counterfeit by examining packaging, labelling and material, and photographs were sent to the brands for verification.
In court
  • Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court refused jurisdiction in January 2023 and the case was sent to Longford Circuit Criminal Court for trial on 9 May 2023.
  • Stokes was remanded in custody in January 2024 and reappeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court on 16 February 2024.
  • Stokes pleaded guilty to the charges.
Sentence
  • Stokes was sentenced to 14 months in prison with the final 12 months suspended for two years on a €500 own bond, backdated to 18 January 2024.
  • Stokes must pay €5,000 to the International Red Cross, refrain from posting on social media or online sales tools, and the counterfeit goods were ordered destroyed.
Other details
  • Stokes told the probation officer she and a friend had purchased handbags and accessories in Istanbul for €400, which the judge described as a tissue of lies.
  • The maximum penalty for each charge is five years' imprisonment or a fine of €130,000 per count, and reports of Stokes's age differ between 52 and 54.
84 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe counterfeit goods included Burberry handbags, Christian Dior shoes and handbag, Hugo Boss shoes, 11 Rolex watches, Tommy Hilfiger shoes and handbags, Ben Sherman belts, Gucci shoes and belts, Louboutin shoes and Louis Vuitton bags, shoes, belts and handbags. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatIf the items retailed at an average of €30 per piece, the total value was in the region of €4,800. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe seized items comprised 60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes, 11 Rolex watches and designer jeans and other items of clothing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAll the items in the possession of the Gardaí were in good condition and not used. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA notebook with entries indicating orders for particular items was also seized. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe seized items included Burberry handbags, Christian Dior shoes and handbag, Hugo Boss shoes, 11 Rolex watches, Tommy Hilfiger shoes and handbags, Ben Sherman belts, Gucci shoes and belts, Louboutin shoes, and Louis Vuitton bags, shoes, belts and handbags. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThere were 60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes, 11 Rolex watches and designer jeans and other items of clothing. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAll items in the possession of Gardaí were in good condition and not used. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA 52-year-old woman accused of selling counterfeit goods will have the case heard in Longford Circuit Court in May. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe goods include Burberry handbags, Christian Dior shoes and handbag, Hugo Boss shoes, 11 Rolex Watches, Tommy Hilfiger shoes and handbags, Ben Sherman belts, Gucci shoes and belts, Louboutin Shoes and Louis Vuitton bags, shoes, belts, and handbags. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe State maintained the total value of the haul was in the region of €4,800 at an average retail price of €30 per piece. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatNoreen Stokes is a 52-year-old woman accused of selling counterfeit goods (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe charges cover selling imitation goods between January 1, 2019 and November 15, 2020 at 2 Auburn Park, Bracklin Road, Edgeworthstown (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe counterfeit items include Burberry handbags, Christian Dior shoes and handbag, Hugo Boss shoes, 11 Rolex watches, Tommy Hilfiger shoes and handbags, Ben Sherman belts, Gucci shoes and belts, Louboutin shoes, and Louis Vuitton bags, shoes, belts and handbags (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe State said the total value of the haul was in the region of €4,800 at an average retail price of €30 per piece (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe haul included 60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes, 11 Rolex watches, and designer jeans and other items of clothing (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes faced nine charges involving possession of 172 counterfeit designer items. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe seized items included 106 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatNoreen Stokes faced nine charges involving possession of 172 counterfeit designer items. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatSeized items included 106 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe charges relate to the address 2 Auburn Park, Bracklin Road, Edgeworthstown. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereNoreen Stokes lives at 2 Auburn Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereStokes lives at 2 Auburn Park, Edgeworthstown, County Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereStokes lives at 2 Auburn Park, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe hearing took place at Longford Circuit Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereNoreen Stokes lives in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenStokes's property was searched on 18 November 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenHer property was searched on November 18, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMs Stokes's property was searched on 18 November 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenHer property was searched on 18 November 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationSgt Adrian Dockery served the Book of Evidence against Ms Stokes on the day of the District Court sitting. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationBrands confirmed by examining packaging, labelling and material that the items were counterfeit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationItems seized included 106 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe brands confirmed by examining packaging, labelling and material that the items were counterfeit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationPhotographs were sent to the brands, which confirmed the items were counterfeit. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant is charged with selling imitation goods between 1 January 2019 and 15 November 2020 at 2 Auburn Park, Bracklin Road, Edgeworthstown. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThere were a total of 163 items covered in nine charge sheets. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeNoreen Stokes is charged with selling imitation goods between 1 January 2019 and 15 November 2020. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA total of 163 items were covered in nine charge sheets. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant is charged with selling imitation goods between January 1, 2019 and November 15, 2020 at 2 Auburn Park, Edgeworthstown. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThere are nine charges in the book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStokes was charged with possessing counterfeit designer goods with intent to distribute them. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStokes faced nine charges involving the possession of 172 counterfeit designer items. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeShe was charged with possessing counterfeit designer goods with the intention of distributing them. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMs Stokes was facing nine separate charges involving the possession of 172 counterfeit designer items. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case will return before Longford District Court in March for DPP directions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens refused to accept jurisdiction of the prosecution. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe DPP was directing that the matter be dealt with in the District Court. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 7 March for DPP directions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtA parallel police property application in respect of the impounded items will follow to the same date. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard before Judge Bernadette Owens in Longford District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 7 March for DPP directions, with a parallel police property application to follow. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtInspector David Jordan asked the judge to return the matter for trial in Longford Circuit Criminal Court on May 9. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was granted legal aid in the name of her solicitor, Brid Mimnagh, and one junior counsel. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was issued with an alibi warning and released on her own bond of €250. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was sent to Longford Circuit Criminal Court for trial on 9 May 2023 (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtSergeant Adrian Dockery served the Book of Evidence against Ms Stokes on the day of the District Court sitting (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtInspector David Jordan asked the judge to return the matter for trial in Longford Circuit Criminal Court (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was issued with an alibi warning (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was released on her own bond of €250 (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStokes appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStokes was remanded in custody and will reappear before Longford Circuit Court on February 16. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStokes pleaded guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtShe was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtNoreen Stokes entered a guilty plea. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMs Stokes was remanded in custody for a number of weeks before sentencing. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe was sentenced to 14 months in prison with the final 12 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended 12 months run for two years on an own bond of €500. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceShe must refrain from posting on social media or online sales tools such as Done Deal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceShe must pay €5,000 to the International Red Cross. (irishmirror.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceA destruction order was made for the counterfeit goods. (irishmirror.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to January 18, 2024, when she first went into custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMs Stokes was sentenced to 14 months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years on a €500 own bond. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMs Stokes must pay €5,000 to the International Red Cross. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMs Stokes's sentence was backdated to 18 January 2024, when she first went into custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended part was for two years on an own bond of €500. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceShe must refrain entirely from posting on social media or online sales tools. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceHer sentence was backdated to 18 January 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe State relied on the quantity and condition of the goods to indicate they were not for the defendant's own use. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe State relied on the quantity of goods seized and their condition to indicate they were not for Stokes' own use. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí seized 106 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items among the goods. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherStokes told the probation officer she and a friend bought handbags and accessories in Istanbul for a total of €400. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge described Stokes's account to the probation officer as a tissue of lies. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe maximum penalty for each charge is five years imprisonment or a fine of €130,000 per count. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Feb2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford woman who 'thought she could hoodwink court' jailed for possession of counterfeit designer goods

    Adds the sentencing details: 14 months with the final 12 suspended on a two-year bond, a €5,000 payment to the Red Cross, a social media restriction, a destruction order, and backdating to 18 January 2024.

    convicted, Noreen Stokes, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  2. 17 Feb2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Woman in the Midlands who 'thought she could hoodwink court' jailed for possession of counterfeit designer goods

    Adds the sentencing hearing on 16 February 2024: 14 months with the final 12 months suspended, a two-year bond of €500, a ban on posting on social media or online sales tools, a €5,000 payment to the International Red Cross, a destruction order for the goods, and backdating to 18 January 2024.

    convicted, Noreen Stokes, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  3. 16 Feb2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Woman jailed for possession of nearly 200 counterfeit designer items

    Reports the sentence at Longford Circuit Court, including the suspended portion, the bond, the Red Cross payment, the destruction order, the social media ban and the judge's comments on her attitude.

    convicted, Noreen Stokes, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  4. 24 Jan2024
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford woman charged with possession of counterfeit designer items fed probation officer 'a tissue of lies'

    Adds that Stokes was remanded in custody and will reappear on February 16, the judge's remarks on her account to the probation officer, and details of the seized items and the garda evidence.

    accused, Noreen Stokes, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  5. 1 Apr2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, its first report
    Longford woman allegedly found with fake designer handbags and Rolex watches to stand trial

    Reports that Judge Bernadette Owens refused jurisdiction at the District Court and the matter was sent to Longford Circuit Criminal Court for trial on 9 May 2023. Provides details of the nine charges, the list of counterfeit brands, the State's valuation of approximately €4,800, and that the defendant was granted legal aid, issued with an alibi warning, and released on her own bond of €250.

    accused, Noreen Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  6. 31 Mar2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Woman in the Midlands allegedly found with fake designer handbags and Rolex watches to stand trial

    Reports a pre-trial hearing at which Judge Bernadette Owens refused jurisdiction and the case was sent to Longford Circuit Court for trial on 9 May 2023. Provides details of the nine charges, the specific items (60 handbags, 70 pairs of shoes, 11 Rolex watches), the State's estimated retail value of €4,800, and that the defendant was released on a €250 bond.

    accused, Noreen Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  7. 20 Jan2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, its first report
    Huge haul of fake Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Dior, Rolex and other brands listed in Midlands court

    Court listing details: 163 items across nine charge sheets, brands listed, value estimated at €4,800, judge refused jurisdiction and adjourned to 7 March for DPP directions.

    accused, Noreen Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes
  8. 20 Jan2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Woman in the Midlands in court accused of selling counterfeit shoes, handbags and watches

    Reports a court hearing at which Judge Owens refused jurisdiction and adjourned the case for DPP directions, providing details of the 163 items across nine charge sheets and the prosecution's evidence that the goods were for sale rather than personal use.

    accused, Noreen Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Noreen Stokes