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. 15447Theft and related offences (15 charges, including car theft, key theft, fraud and theft of diesel) · Co. Laois

Teen sentenced to 14 months after pleading guilty to 15 charges over April 2024 car thefts

Micheal McGinley, a 19-year-old man from Balrothery, Dublin, was charged over a series of car, key, card and fuel thefts in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024. The incidents began on 25 April 2024, when a white BMW was taken in Athy, and continued with a Mini Cooper taken in Palmerstown on 28 April and further thefts in Rathdowney, Portlaoise and Ballacolla on 29 April. He pleaded guilty to 15 charges at Portlaoise District Court, where the defence said he had fallen into bad company and was using alcohol, cannabis and street tablets. Judge Susan Fay imposed a 14-month sentence backdated to 1 May, when he went into custody, with recognisance fixed in case of appeal, as reported in November 2024.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • On 25 April 2024 a white BMW was stolen in Athy, Co Kildare, after keys were taken from an unlocked house.
  • On 28 April 2024 a white Mini Cooper was stolen from a driveway in Palmerstown, Dublin, and was later recovered in Rathdowney undamaged but broken down.
  • On 29 April 2024 keys were stolen from a house at the Showgrounds, Rathdowney, and used to steal a white VW Passat CC, which was later written off.
  • On 29 April 2024 bank cards and a Revolut card were taken from unlocked cars in Kilminchy, Portlaoise and Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney, and were not recovered.
  • On 29 April 2024 €350 and a wallet were taken from a vehicle at O'Daly Terrace, Rathdowney.
  • On 29 April 2024 diesel worth €97.90 was taken without payment at Circle K Manor Stone, Ballacolla.
  • Stolen cards were used for three purchases totalling €62.20 at Applegreen, Athy, Co Kildare.
Other details
  • The BMW was later found abandoned but undamaged in Balbriggan.
  • He had 34 previous convictions, many believed to have occurred when he was a minor, and the defence said he was remorseful and had admitted the offending.
Where
The incidents took place in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024.
Cause
The defence said he had become involved in bad company and was using alcohol, cannabis and street tablets at the time.
Investigation
Detective Garda Paul Kelly gave evidence at Portlaoise District Court.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including car theft, key theft, fraud and theft of diesel.
In court
The guilty pleas were heard at Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
Judge Susan Fay imposed a 14-month sentence, backdated to 1 May when he went into custody, with recognisance fixed in case of appeal.
38 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOn 25 April 2024 the defendant stole a white BMW in Athy, Co Kildare, after entering an unlocked house and taking the keys. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 28 April 2024 the teenager stole a white Mini Cooper from a driveway in Palmerstown, Dublin. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 the defendant took a bank card from an unlocked car in Kilminchy, Portlaoise. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 the defendant interfered with a VW Golf at Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney, but nothing was taken and no damage occurred. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 the defendant entered a house at the Showgrounds, Rathdowney, and stole a set of keys. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatHe used the stolen keys to steal a white VW Passat CC, which was later written off. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 the defendant took a Revolut card and a bank card from an unlocked car at Slieve Bloom Heights, Rathdowney, and these were not recovered. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 the teenager drove off without paying for €97.90 of diesel at Circle K Manor Stone, Ballacolla. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn 29 April 2024 he took €350 and a wallet from a vehicle at O’Daly Terrace, Rathdowney, and interfered with two vehicles. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe teenager used a stolen card for three purchases at Applegreen, Athy, totalling €62.20. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatOn April 25, 2024, a white BMW was stolen in Athy after keys were taken from an unlocked house. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatOn April 28, 2024, a white Mini Cooper was stolen from a driveway in Palmerstown, Dublin. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatOn April 29, a bank card was taken from an unlocked car in Kilminchy, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatDiesel worth €97.90 was taken without payment at a Ballacolla filling station on April 29. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereOn 29 April 2024 a diesel purchase of €97.90 was made without payment at Circle K Manor Stone, Ballacolla. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereStolen cards were used for three transactions totalling €62.20 at Applegreen, Athy, Co Kildare. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenOn 25 April 2024 a white BMW was stolen in Athy, Co Kildare, after keys were taken from a house. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenOn 28 April 2024 a white Mini Cooper was stolen from a driveway in Palmerstown, Dublin. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe defence said the teenager had become involved in bad company and was using alcohol, cannabis and street tablets at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Paul Kelly gave evidence at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe teenager pleaded guilty to 15 charges arising from incidents in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeTeen pleaded guilty to 15 charges from incidents in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMicheal McGinley pleaded guilty to 15 charges arising from incidents in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe guilty pleas were heard at Portlaoise District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe guilty pleas were before Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Fay convicted the defendant and imposed a 14 month sentence. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 1 May, when the teenager went into custody. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay convicted the defendant and imposed a 14-month sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to May 1 and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 1 May, when the teen went into custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe BMW was later found abandoned but undamaged in Balbriggan. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe Mini Cooper was recovered in Rathdowney and was not damaged, but had broken down. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence solicitor said the teenager was a very young man who had admitted the offending and that the incidents happened over a short period. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe judge said the offences were very serious and had caused trauma to the victims. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 34 previous convictions, and the defence said many occurred when he was a minor. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe solicitor said the incidents happened over a short period of time and the teen was remorseful. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe teen had 34 previous convictions, many of which the solicitor said occurred when he was a minor. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 34 previous convictions, many believed to have occurred when he was a minor. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Nov2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Teen who stole car in the Midlands was on a ‘spree’ court told

    First report of the guilty plea and sentence in the Portlaoise District Court case against Micheal McGinley, covering incidents in Laois, Kildare and Dublin in April 2024.

    convicted, Micheal McGinley, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Micheal McGinley
  2. 5 Nov2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Teen who stole car in Laois was on a ‘spree’ court told

    Adds court details: the 15 charges and the incidents, the judge's comments, the 14-month sentence backdated to May 1 when he entered custody, and recognisance fixed in case of appeal. Existing case already records the sentence.

    convicted, Micheal McGinley, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Micheal McGinley
  3. 5 Nov2024
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Court hears teenager stole cars in Kildare, Dublin and Laois

    Court report on the Portlaoise District Court sitting that sets out the incidents and dates behind the 15 guilty pleas, the defence submissions, and the 14 month sentence backdated to 1 May. It adds the specific incidents, the defendant's custody history and the previous convictions.

    convicted, Micheal McGinley, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Micheal McGinley