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. 15735Theft · Co. Laois · 20 Sep 2024

Woman who stole Garda Sergeant's hoodie in courtroom sentenced to 12 months

Theresa Conroy, a 38-year-old woman from Portlaoise, admitted stealing a grey hoodie belonging to a Garda Sergeant from a seat in Portlaoise District Court, Laois, on September 20, 2024. She also admitted thefts from shops in Portlaoise and Tullamore on September 17, 2024 and April 5, 2024. She pleaded guilty, and the DPP directed that the thefts be heard in the district court. The judge imposed a 12-month sentence with a further six months suspended for two years, as reported in October 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Theresa Conroy (38) admitted stealing a grey hoodie belonging to a Garda Sergeant during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
  • Conroy admitted stealing shoes valued at €12 from Dunnes Stores, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, on September 17, 2024.
  • Conroy admitted stealing goods worth €88 from Eurogiant, Lyster Square, Portlaoise.
  • Conroy admitted stealing alcohol and hygiene products worth €149 from Lidl, Church Road, Tullamore, on April 5, 2024.
Where
The hoodie was taken from the back of a chair, described in one source as a seat, in the courtroom.
When
  • The hoodie was stolen on September 20, 2024.
  • The case was reported on October 18, 2024, with a byline dated October 20, 2024.
Other details
The hoodie was returned within 15 minutes of being taken.
Charges
Conroy pleaded guilty to the theft charges, and the DPP directed that they be heard in the district court.
In court
  • A probation and welfare report recommended residential rehabilitation.
  • The judge said the defendant had 91 previous convictions, not counting these thefts.
  • The judge said the defendant's refusal to accept residential treatment left no option but to send her to jail.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a 12-month sentence with a further six months suspended for two years.
  • The judge took the hoodie theft into consideration and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatConroy admitted stealing a grey hoodie belonging to a Garda Sergeant during a court sitting. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatConroy admitted stealing shoes valued at €12 from Dunnes Stores on Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, on September 17. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatConroy admitted stealing goods worth €88 from Eurogiant, Lyster Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatConroy admitted stealing alcohol and hygiene products worth €149 from Lidl, Church Road, Tullamore, on April 5, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe hoodie was taken from the back of a chair in the courtroom. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtConroy pleaded guilty to the thefts, and the DPP directed that they could be heard in the district court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a 12-month sentence with a further six months suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge took the hoodie theft into consideration and fixed recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe hoodie was returned within 15 minutes of being taken. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA probation and welfare report recommended residential rehabilitation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the defendant had 91 previous convictions, not counting these thefts. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the defendant's refusal to accept residential treatment left him no option but to send her to jail. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Oct2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman stole Garda Sergeant's hoodie from seat during court sitting in Laois

    Reports the sentence and the three theft charges before the court, including the theft of a Garda Sergeant's hoodie from a seat in Portlaoise District Court, plus the defendant's previous convictions and the probation report.

    convicted, Theresa Conroy, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Theresa Conroy