Thursday 29 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. 9964Attempted smuggling of contraband into prison · Co. Laois · 21 Apr 2026

Two arrested after drone seized near Portlaoise Prison

On Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 5.50pm, Gardaí investigating a drone seen flying over St Brigid's Place in Portlaoise, County Laois, arrested two men, aged 36 and 43, after a suspected attempt to fly contraband into Portlaoise Prison. The men tried to flee, and Gardaí forced the vehicle to stop, seized a drone, a car and a number of phones, and took the men to Tullamore Garda Station. Reported on 22 April 2026, the two men have since been released and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested22 Apr
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí said a drone was flying over St Brigid's Place.
Where
The incident happened in Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The drone was seen flying on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 5.50pm.
Cause
Gardaí suspected an attempt to fly contraband into Portlaoise Prison.
Investigation
  • Gardaí approached the passenger, who attempted to drive off, and the two men tried to flee from Gardaí.
  • Gardaí forced the vehicle to stop and arrested two men, aged 36 and 43.
  • Gardaí recovered a drone in a nearby field and seized a car and a number of phones.
  • The two men have since been released and investigations are ongoing.
Other details
The two men were taken to Tullamore Garda Station.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí said a drone was flying over St Brigid's Place. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe two men were arrested in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe drone was seen flying in Portlaoise on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 5.50pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe incident was a suspected attempt to fly contraband into Portlaoise Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí approached the passenger, who attempted to drive off. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí forced the vehicle to stop and arrested the two men. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí recovered a drone in a nearby field. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found a number of phones during the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe two men have since been released and investigations are ongoing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe two men tried to flee from gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe car was seized and the two men were taken to Tullamore Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Apr2026
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Two arrested after drone seized near prison in Laois

    Reports the arrest of two men and seizure of a drone, car and phones in Portlaoise, and that the men were released while investigations continue.

    suspect, 36, malesuspect, 43, male