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. 8053Handling stolen property · Co. Laois · 3 Feb 2026

Woman fined €300 for handling stolen Lidl voucher from Laois burglary

A car containing a €50 Lidl voucher was stolen after car keys were taken in a burglary at Kyle, Rathdowney, Co Laois, on 28 January 2026. On 3 February 2026 the voucher was used at the Lidl store in Portlaoise to buy goods worth €40.57, and Detective Garda Michael O'Donovan identified the user from CCTV as Mary Toohey (47) of Dysart Beg, Mountrath. Toohey pleaded guilty to handling stolen property, and the court accepted on face value her account that she found the voucher in Borris-in-Ossory. The latest development, reported on 12 September 2026, is that she was fined €300 with six months to pay, and legal aid was granted.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman, Mary Toohey (47), of Dysart Beg, Mountrath, was charged with handling stolen property.
Where
  • The burglary took place at Kyle, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
  • The voucher was used at the Lidl store in Portlaoise.
When
  • The burglary occurred on 28 January 2026.
  • The voucher was used on 3 February 2026.
Cause
Car keys were stolen in the burglary and used to take a car.
Other details
  • A €50 Lidl voucher was in the stolen car.
  • The voucher was used to buy goods worth €40.57.
  • The woman said the voucher was found in Borris-in-Ossory, and the judge accepted this on face value.
  • The judge said the burglary had a significant effect on the householder.
Investigation
Detective Garda Michael O'Donovan viewed CCTV from the store and recognised the woman.
Charges
The woman pleaded guilty to handling stolen property and made full admissions to using the voucher.
Sentence
The woman was fined €300 and given six months to pay, and legal aid was granted.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe burglary took place at Kyle, Rathdowney. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe voucher was used at the Lidl store in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe Rathdowney burglary occurred on January 28, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe voucher was used on February 3, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeCar keys were stolen and used to take a car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Michael O'Donovan viewed CCTV from the store and recognised the woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe woman pleaded guilty to handling stolen property. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge accepted on face value that the voucher was found in Borris-in-Ossory. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe woman was fined €300 and given six months to pay, and legal aid was granted. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA €50 Lidl voucher was in the stolen car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe voucher was used to buy goods worth €40.57. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman made full admissions to using the voucher. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman said the voucher was found in Borris-in-Ossory. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the burglary had a devastating effect on the householder. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Sep2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman admits using voucher taken during Laois burglary

    Court report on the guilty plea and sentencing of a woman who used a voucher stolen in a Rathdowney burglary, identified through CCTV at Lidl Portlaoise.

    convicted, Mary Toohey, 47, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Toohey