Ireland Two Laois teenagers released on bail after Oberstown refused entry, court hears
Two boys, aged 17 and 15, were in a stolen car that was stopped by a stinger device on the M7 Motorway, the court heard. Both were placed in custody after evidence of bail breaches was heard at Portlaoise District Court, but Oberstown Children's Detention Campus refused to admit them because it had no available beds. Judge Andrew Cody revoked the detention orders and released both boys on bail under the same conditions, and gardaí were given liberty to re-enter on three hours' notice when a bed became available. The case was reported on 12 and 14 May 2025, and it was put back to Portlaoise District Court on 22 May.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 May
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two boys, aged 17 and 15, were placed in custody after evidence of bail breaches by each of them was heard.
- Where
- The two boys were in a stolen car that was stopped by a stinger device on the M7 Motorway.
- Oberstown Children's Detention Campus, also reported as Oberstown Detention Centre, refused to admit the two boys.
- Cause
- Oberstown had no available beds for the boys.
- Charges
- The 17-year-old is accused of unlawfully taking a vehicle from Dara Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, between February 7 and 9, 2024, among other charges.
- The second boy is accused of unlawfully taking cars in 2024, including on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, on June 17, among other charges.
- The second boy is accused of making off without payment at Campus filling station, Abbeyleix, on April 10, 2025.
- In court
- Judge Andrew Cody revoked the detention orders and released both boys on bail under the same conditions as before.
- The judge granted gardaí liberty to re-enter both cases on three hours' notice when a bed became available.
- The judge directed that the first available bed go to the 15-year-old and the second to the 17-year-old.
- The judge said the teenagers had pleaded guilty to several serious offences and continued to breach bail conditions.
- The case was put back to Portlaoise District Court on May 22.
- Other details
- Judge Cody said the Government is failing to protect people from criminal juveniles and that District Court judges can do little in such cases.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe 17 and 15 year old boys were placed in custody after evidence of bail breaches by each accused was heard. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe two teenagers were in a stolen car that was stopped by a stinger device on the M7 Motorway. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe teenagers were taken to Oberstown Children's Detention Campus, where they were refused entry. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeOberstown had no available beds for the boys. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeOberstown had no beds available to accommodate the teenagers. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe 17-year-old is accused of unlawfully taking a vehicle from Dara Park, Newbridge, between February 7 and 9, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe second youth is accused of unlawfully taking cars in 2024, including on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, on June 17. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe second youth is accused of making off without payment at Campus filling station, Abbeyleix, on April 10, 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe 17 year old is accused of unlawful taking of a vehicle from Dara Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, between February 7 and 9, 2024, among other charges. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe second youth is accused of unlawful taking of cars in 2024, among other charges. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtOberstown Detention Centre refused to admit the two teenagers. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe two boys were placed in custody after evidence of bail breaches by each of the accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge revoked the detention order and released the two boys on bail. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge put the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 22. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge revoked the detention order and released the teenagers on bail under the same conditions as before. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge granted gardaí liberty to re-enter both cases on three hours' notice when a bed became available. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the teenagers had pleaded guilty to several serious offences and continued to breach bail conditions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge directed that the first available bed go to the 15 year old and the second to the 17 year old. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was put back to Portlaoise District Court on May 22. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 May2025Teens who are 'terrorising' Laois and putting TikTok clips online cannot be detained, court hears
Reports that Oberstown refused entry to the two teenagers, that Judge Cody revoked the detention orders and released them on bail, and that the judge criticised the Government for the lack of beds. Also gives the charges against each teenager and the court's directions for re-entry and the next hearing.
accused, 17, maleaccused, 15, male - 14 May2025Teens in the Midlands who are 'terrorising' communities and putting clips on Tik Tok cannot be detained
Reports a Portlaoise District Court hearing in which two juveniles were refused admission to Oberstown after detention orders, were released on bail, and the judge criticised the lack of detention places. Lists the charges against each boy. No existing case covers this matter.
accused, 17, maleaccused, 15, male