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. 15509Burglary and assault causing harm · Co. Laois · 12 Sep 2024

William Donoghue (36) remanded in custody over Portlaoise burglary and assault

William Donoghue (36) is accused of criminal damage, assault causing harm, burglary and producing a steel bar broken from a Stanley cooker at an address in St Brigid's Place, Portlaoise, on 12 September 2024. A garda gave evidence at Portlaoise District Court of serving a book of evidence on him, and the DPP directed that he be sent forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court. The judge gave the alibi warning, sent the case forward and remanded him in custody to appear at the Portlaoise Circuit Court sittings. The latest development reported is that the case is due before the Circuit Court sittings on 5 November 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
William Donoghue (36) is accused of an incident involving a burglary and assault in Portlaoise.
Where
The incident took place at an address in St Brigid's Place, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The incident took place on 12 September 2024.
Charges
Donoghue is accused of criminal damage, assault causing harm, burglary and production of an article.
Weapon
The article produced is described as a steel bar broken from a Stanley cooker.
Investigation
Garda Lisa Murray gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on the accused at Portlaoise District Court.
In court
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the DPP directed that the defendant be sent forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court sittings on 5 November 2024.
  • The judge gave the defendant the alibi warning and sent the case forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court.
  • The defendant was remanded in custody to appear at the Portlaoise Circuit Court sittings.
Other details
A solicitor requested legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place at an address in St Brigid's Place, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 12 September 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeDonoghue is accused of criminal damage, assault causing harm, burglary and production of an article. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA garda gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on the accused at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the defendant be sent forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court sittings on 5 November 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge gave the defendant the alibi warning and sent the case forward to the Portlaoise Circuit Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was remanded in custody to appear at the Portlaoise Circuit Court sittings. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe article describes the article produced as a steel bar broken from a Stanley cooker. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA solicitor requested legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Nov2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man accused of assault, producing a bar from a Stanley cooker and burglary in Laois

    Court appearance at Portlaoise District Court. The accused's name matches existing case 12977, but the age (36 vs 25), address (Pleasant Place, Harpurs Lane vs 2 The Crescent, Ballylinan) and incident (St Brigid's Place burglary on 12 September 2024 vs Ballylinan farm assault on 4 April 2025) differ, so this is treated as a separate case.

    accused, William Donoghue, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Donoghue