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. 9450Attempted robbery · Co. Laois · 20 Mar 2026

Two charged with attempted robberies in Laois and Offaly

On 20 March 2026 two attempted robberies were allegedly carried out, one at Murphy's Eurostretcher in Portarlington, Co Laois, and one at Daingean Post Office, Co Offaly, where the robber allegedly claimed to have a gun. Vincent Lawlor (42) of Derryguile, Mountmellick, and Amy Molloy (35) of Mountmellick, are charged with attempted robbery, with Mr Lawlor alleged to have waited in a vehicle at Portarlington and kept watch at Daingean, and Ms Molloy alleged to have waited in the doorway at Portarlington. Both appeared before Portlaoise District Court, which was reported on 22 May 2026, when Judge Susan Fay granted legal aid. The latest development is that the case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 8 July for service of a book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man and a woman appeared in Portlaoise District Court charged with attempted robbery in Laois and Offaly.
  • At Daingean Post Office a man allegedly gave staff a note saying he had a gun.
  • Vincent Lawlor, aged 42, of Derryguile, Mountmellick, is alleged to have waited in a vehicle during the Portarlington attempt and stood in the doorway at Daingean keeping watch.
  • Amy Molloy, aged 35, of Mountmellick, is alleged to have waited in the doorway of the Portarlington shop.
Where
  • One alleged attempted robbery was at Murphy's Eurostretcher, French Church Street, Portarlington, Co Laois.
  • The other alleged attempted robbery was at Daingean Post Office, Co Offaly.
When
The attempted robberies are alleged to have happened on 20 March 2026.
Weapon
At Murphy's Eurostretcher the robber allegedly told staff he had a gun and ordered them to empty the till.
Investigation
Staff at Daingean challenged the robber, who left without taking anything.
Other details
Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes described Ms Molloy's role as minor, and her solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said she was in receipt of illness benefit.
Charges
Both accused are charged with attempted robbery.
In court
  • Judge Susan Fay said she was not satisfied to accept jurisdiction when the matter was first raised, and the DPP directed the cases could stay in the district court if there was a guilty plea and the judge accepted jurisdiction.
  • Judge Fay granted legal aid and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on 8 July for service of a book of evidence.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo people appeared in court charged over attempted robberies in Laois and Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatAt Daingean Post Office a man allegedly gave staff a note saying he had a gun. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatMr Lawlor is alleged to have stood in the doorway of the Daingean shop keeping watch. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatMr Lawlor is alleged to have waited in a vehicle during the Portarlington attempted robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatMs Molloy is alleged to have waited in the doorway of the Portarlington shop. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGarda Sergeant Hughes described Ms Molloy's role as minor. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereOne alleged attempted robbery was at Murphy’s Eurostretcher in Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe other alleged attempted robbery was at Daingean Post Office in Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe attempted robberies are alleged to have happened on 20 March 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponAt Murphy’s Eurostretcher the robber allegedly told staff he had a gun and ordered them to empty the till. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationStaff at Daingean challenged the robber, who left without taking anything. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeBoth accused are charged with attempted robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Susan Fay said she was not satisfied to accept jurisdiction in the case when it was first raised. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the cases could stay in the district court if there was a guilty plea and the judge accepted jurisdiction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Fay granted legal aid and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on 8 July for service of a book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherSolicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said Ms Molloy was in receipt of illness benefit. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man and woman accused of attempted robbery in Laois and Offaly

    First report of this case. It covers a court appearance for two accused charged over attempted robberies in Portarlington (Laois) and Daingean (Offaly). The article says Judge Fay granted legal aid and adjourned the matter to 8 July.

    accused, Vincent Lawlor, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Vincent Lawloraccused, Amy Molloy, 35, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amy Molloy