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. 17302Theft · Co. Laois

Woman jailed over Laois theft spree

Theresa Conroy (37) of Portlaoise faced 41 theft charges over a series of thefts from November 2023 to April 2024, which began in Portarlington and Mountmellick after she had been banned from all Portlaoise shops except one convenience store. The charges included clothing taken from Elvery Sports, €373.02 taken from Lidl in Portarlington on March 12, 2024, and alcohol valued at €37.50 allegedly taken on April 21, 2024, while she was on bail and temporary release from prison. Conroy pleaded guilty to 40 counts of theft, and in May 2024 Judge Andrew Cody jailed her for 12 months for the Elvery Sports theft, suspended a 12-month sentence for four years for the Lidl theft, and took the remaining charges into consideration. The judge also fixed recognisance in case of appeal, which is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Theresa Conroy, 37, of Portlaoise faced theft charges over a series of thefts.
Where
  • Conroy had been banned from all shops in Portlaoise except one convenience store.
  • Conroy went to Portarlington and Mountmellick after being banned from Portlaoise shops.
When
  • The thefts were alleged to have taken place between November 2023 and April 2024.
  • Conroy was allegedly stealing alcohol valued at €37.50 on April 21, 2024, while on bail and temporary release from prison.
Charges
  • Conroy faced 41 theft charges, though one version gives 39 charges dating back to November 2023.
  • Conroy was accused of stealing clothing from Elvery Sports valued at €212.95.
  • Conroy was accused of stealing €373.02 from Lidl in Portarlington on March 12, 2024.
  • Conroy pleaded guilty to 40 counts of theft.
In court
  • Judge Andrew Cody said Conroy was granted bail on three occasions and continued to offend while on bail.
  • Judge Andrew Cody said the 41 charges could only be described as a crime spree.
Sentence
  • Conroy was jailed for 12 months for the Elvery Sports theft.
  • A 12-month sentence for the Lidl theft was suspended for four years, and the remaining 38 charges were taken into consideration.
  • The judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
Cause
Her solicitor said Conroy found her brother dead a week earlier, which triggered a relapse in drug abuse.
Other details
Conroy had 44 previous convictions dating back to 2003.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereConroy had been banned from all shops except one convenience store in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereConroy went to Portarlington and Mountmellick after being banned from shops in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenConroy was on bail and temporary release from prison when she allegedly stole alcohol valued at €37.50 on April 21, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeConroy was facing 41 theft charges. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeConroy pleaded guilty to 40 counts of theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeConroy faced 39 theft charges dating back to November 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeConroy was accused of stealing clothing from Elvery Sports valued at €212.95. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeConroy was accused of stealing €373.02 from Lidl in Portarlington on March 12, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said Conroy was granted bail on three occasions and continued to offend while on bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the 41 charges could only be described as a crime spree. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceConroy was jailed for 12 months for the Elvery Sports theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA 12-month sentence was suspended for four years for the Lidl theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe remaining 38 charges were taken into consideration. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherConroy had 44 previous convictions dating back to 2003. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said Conroy found her brother dead a week earlier, which triggered a relapse in drug abuse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge took the guilty pleas in mitigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 May2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman jailed over Laois ‘crime spree’

    Sentencing report for 41 theft charges against Theresa Conroy over a series of thefts from November 2023 to April 2024, including an alleged alcohol theft on April 21, 2024. The article does not match any existing case, whose incident dates are in July 2024 or later.

    convicted, Theresa Conroy, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Theresa Conroy