Stole ten bottles of whiskey from Portlaoise Tesco to pay bills

A man who stole alcohol to help pay bills was handed a suspended sentence at Portlaoise District Court. 

Rostislav Husar, 32, of 48 Carmody Way, Fairgreen, Portlaoise admitted stealing ten bottles of whiskey along with rum and coke from Tesco at Laois Shopping Centre on January 28, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant went into Tesco at 3pm and took alcohol valued at €532. The defendant was stopped outside and the property was recovered. He said the defendant had nine previous convictions.  

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was a Czech national who has lived here for 18 years. He said there was a co accused who received a suspended sentence. 

Mr Meagher said his client was cooperative with gardai and admitted he took the alcohol with a view to selling it. He explained that his client was struggling to meet utility bills at the time. 

“Everything was recovered other than three cans of rum and coke,” said Mr Meagher. He said his client was apologetic and had brought €20 to court to make good the loss. 

Judge Andrew Cody ordered the €20 to be handed over to the court poor box. He said the man can’t just steal from Tesco if can’t pay his ESB bill. He sentenced him to four months in prison and suspended the sentence for two years.