Saturday 31 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. 19653Theft · Co. Laois · 21 Sep 2023

Woman sentenced over theft spree at nine Portlaoise shops

Tracey Carthy, 34, admitted stealing from nine shops in Portlaoise, Co Laois, on 21 September 2023, the day of the National Ploughing Championships. The items included a vape pen, groceries, toys and car parts. After her guilty plea, which meant gardaí did not have to prepare a file, legal aid was granted. Judge Cody sentenced her to six months in prison, with a further six-month sentence suspended for two years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Tracey Carthy, 34, admitted stealing from nine shops in Portlaoise during the National Ploughing Championships.
  • She admitted stealing a vape pen from Dealz in Lyster Square.
  • She admitted stealing groceries worth €266 from Supervalu and groceries from Lidl.
  • She also admitted stealing toys worth €109 from Tuthills Newsagents, a car battery, seat covers and a hoover from Halfords, anti-flea spray from Petmania, and goods worth €48.95 from Homestore and More.
Where
The thefts took place at nine shops across the town of Portlaoise, including Dealz and Supervalu in Lyster Square.
When
The thefts took place on 21 September 2023.
Other details
  • The report gives her address as 27 Saint Rioch's Street, Kilkenny.
  • Gardaí said she has 34 previous convictions, 17 of them for theft.
  • The court report is dated 29 September 2023 in one version and 1 October 2023 in the article text.
In court
  • Judge Cody said the thefts were a theft spree in every shop in the town on the same day, which was a day when the Ploughing was on.
  • Her guilty plea meant gardaí did not have to prepare a file on the case.
  • Legal aid was granted in the case.
Sentence
Judge Cody sentenced her to six months in prison, with a further six-month sentence imposed and suspended for two years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman went on a theft spree in Portlaoise during the National Ploughing Championships. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe admitted stealing a vape pen from Dealz in Lyster Square. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe admitted stealing groceries from Supervalu and Lidl, along with toys, car parts, and other goods from other shops. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe thefts took place at shops across the town of Portlaoise on the same day. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenShe admitted stealing from nine shops in Portlaoise on September 21, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHer guilty plea meant gardaí did not have to prepare a file on the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Cody sentenced her to six months in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA further six-month sentence was imposed and suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí said the defendant has 34 previous convictions, 17 of them for theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Sep2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Portlaoise 'theft spree' while Ploughing was on

    Court report on a separate incident from the other Tracey Carthy cases in the list (Woodies, Aldi, Hotel Kilkenny). Adds the Portlaoise shop thefts of 21 September 2023, her guilty plea, prior convictions and sentence.

    convicted, Tracey Carthy, 34, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tracey Carthy