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. 21271Theft · Co. Louth · 6 Mar 2022

Teen sentenced for four fuel thefts from Louth and Drogheda Road filling stations

Michael O'Reilly, a 19-year-old man with an address at Green Road Halting Site, Ballybeg, Waterford, drove off from filling stations in Louth without paying for fuel four times between 6 and 10 March 2022. The thefts were at Applegreen M1 Southbound in Castlebellingham, Maxol on Dublin Road and Flanagan's Circle K in Dundalk, and Malone's Circle K on Drogheda Road in Ardee. He pleaded guilty at Dundalk District Court to two counts of theft, with two other charges taken into consideration, and was sentenced to four months, as reported in May 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 19-year-old man, Michael O'Reilly, drove off from filling stations without paying for fuel four times in under a week.
  • At the first station, just over €90 of fuel was put in the car, almost €134 worth was put in containers in the boot, and a can was taken from the service station.
  • Two days later, at Maxol on Dublin Road, Dundalk, over €200 of fuel was put in the car and two drums were taken.
  • On the same day, at Malone's Circle K on Drogheda Road, Ardee, over €131 worth of fuel was put in the car and containers.
  • The last theft was on 10 March 2022 at Flanagan's Circle K, Dundalk, where over €70 of fuel was put in the car.
When
The first theft occurred at 5pm on 6 March 2022.
Where
The first theft was at Applegreen M1 Southbound, Castlebellingham.
Cause
The defence said he was using street tablets and funding that habit at the time.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, and two other charges were marked taken into consideration.
In court
He was sentenced at Dundalk District Court, as reported on 2 May 2023 and updated on 3 May 2023.
Sentence
He was sentenced to four months.
Other details
  • The defence said he had been in custody for six months and is studying for his Junior Cert.
  • He apologised for what happened.
  • He has 20 previous convictions, including for theft, and is currently serving a sentence.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA teenager drove off from filling stations without paying for fuel four times in under a week. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAt the first filling station, just over €90 of fuel was put in the car and almost €134 worth in containers in the boot, and a can was taken from the service station. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatTwo days later, at Maxol on Dublin Road, Dundalk, over €200 of fuel was put in the car and two drums. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatOn the same day, at Malone’s Circle K on Drogheda Road, Ardee, over €131 worth of fuel was put in the car and containers. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe first theft was at Applegreen M1 Southbound, Castlebellingham. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe first theft occurred at 5pm on 6 March 2022, the year before the article. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe last theft occurred on 10 March 2022 at Flanagan’s Circle K, Dundalk, where over €70 of fuel was put in the car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe defence said he was using street tablets and funding that habit at the time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeHe was sentenced for two counts of theft. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced at Dundalk District Court to four months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherTwo other charges were marked taken into consideration. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the defendant had been in custody for six months and is studying for his Junior Cert. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant apologised for what happened. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 20 previous convictions, including for theft, and is currently serving a sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 May2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Dundalk Court: Teen stole fuel from filling station four times in under a week

    Reports the sentencing of a 19-year-old for four fuel thefts between 6 and 10 March 2022, including the court's account of the incidents, the plea, the mitigation and his previous convictions.

    convicted, Michael O'Reilly, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Reilly