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. 15142Attempted smuggling of drugs into prison (suspected) · Co. Laois · 17 Dec 2024

Two arrested after drone spotted near Portlaoise Prison

A member of the public alerted gardaí to a drone operating near Portlaoise Prison in Laois at around 7pm on Tuesday 17 December 2024. Gardaí believe they foiled a suspected attempt to fly drugs into the prison, recovered the drone and arrested a 29-year-old man and a 19-year-old man, who were held overnight at Portlaoise Garda Station. The Irish Prison Service is liaising with gardaí and carrying out its own investigation. The two men appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court and were remanded in custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí are believed to have foiled a suspected attempt to fly drugs into a prison in Laois.
Where
The drone was operating close to the high security Portlaoise Prison on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, beside the Midlands Prison.
When
A member of the public alerted gardaí to the drone on Tuesday evening, 17 December 2024, at around 7pm.
Investigation
  • Responding gardaí recovered a drone.
  • Gardaí arrested a 29-year-old man and a 19-year-old man close to the prison.
  • Both suspects were held overnight at Portlaoise Garda Station.
  • The Irish Prison Service is liaising with gardaí and carrying out its own investigation.
Other details
  • The Leinster Express described one suspect as a teenager, while the reported age is 19.
  • The Leinster Express first reported the incident on 18 December 2024.
Charges
The articles do not report any charge against either suspect.
In court
The two men appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court and were remanded in custody.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí are believed to have foiled a suspected attempt to fly drugs into a prison in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe drone was operating close to the high security Portlaoise Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenA member of the public alerted gardaí to a drone operating near the prison on Tuesday evening at around 7pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationResponding gardaí recovered a drone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a 29-year-old man and a 19-year-old man. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationBoth suspects were held overnight at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe Irish Prison Service is liaising with gardaí and carrying out its own investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe two men appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court and were remanded in custody. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Dec2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Gardaí foil suspected bid to fly drugs into Laois prison with drone

    First report of the incident. Adds the arrests, the court remand in custody, and the Irish Prison Service investigation. Gardaí are reported to have foiled a suspected attempt to fly drugs into the prison.

    suspect, 29, malesuspect, 19, male