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. 15149Theft (suspected shoplifting) · Co. Laois · 17 Dec 2024

Two men arrested over suspected shoplifting in Portlaoise

On Tuesday 17 December 2024 at around 8pm, gardaí arrested two men on suspicion of shoplifting in Portlaoise, County Laois, after a local retailer alerted them to suspicious activity. One man is in his late 40s and the other in his mid 20s, and they are suspected of taking high-value groceries from at least two stores, with goods recovered at the time of arrest. The arrests were first reported by the Leinster Express on 18 December 2024. The latest reported development is that both men are being held for questioning at Portlaoise Garda Station, and no charge or court appearance has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested18 Dec
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two men were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.
Where
The arrests took place in Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The men were seen acting suspiciously on Tuesday 17 December 2024 at around 8pm.
Other details
  • One suspect is a man in his late 40s and the other is a man in his mid 20s.
  • The men are being held for questioning at Portlaoise Garda Station.
  • The reports do not name the men or give their nationality.
  • The arrests were first reported by the Leinster Express on 18 December 2024.
Cause
A local retailer noticed suspicious activity and contacted gardaí.
Investigation
  • Gardaí directed Christmas beat officers to the area, where the two men were arrested.
  • Goods were recovered when the two men were arrested.
Charges
The men are suspected of taking high-value groceries from at least two stores.
In court
No charge, court appearance or sentence has been reported.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men were arrested as suspected shoplifters. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe men were spotted on Tuesday at around 8pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeA retailer spotted the men acting suspiciously and contacted gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA quantity of goods was recovered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe men are suspected of taking high value groceries from at least two stores. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe men are being held for questioning at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Dec2024
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois Gardaí arrest suspected shoplifters after alert from "eagle-eyed" retailer

    First report of the arrests. The article says the men were arrested in Portlaoise and are being held for questioning at Portlaoise Garda Station.

    suspect, late 40s, malesuspect, mid 20s, male