Teenager admits stealing bicycle in Laois

A judge told a teenager who is accused of stealing cars and a bicycle that he wanted him to return to school. 

The boy (14), who has a Laois address and cannot be named due to his age, admitted stealing a bicycle from Laois Shopping Centre on July 9, 2024. 

Garda Lisa Murray said “the bike was recovered and returned to the owner.” 

The teenager was also accused of stealing a car at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise on January 20 and stealing a car at Kilminchy, Portlaoise on February 20 and another car at Stradbrook Apartments, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on March 23 and stealing €1.50 worth of sweets from EuroGiant in Portlaoise on August 23, causing criminal damage at Priory Court, Kildare Town on February 25, stealing sweets valued at €40 from Supervalu, Monasterevin on August 30 and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and refusing to provide a name and address to gardaí at Castletown on June 20, 2024.   

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty to the bicycle theft. “These are matters of some vintage,” he said. 

“He was 13 at the time of some of the offences before the court,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

He said the boy had difficulties in school and had been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 10. He said it was accepted that he was “completely off the rails for a period.” 

However, Mr Fitzgerald said warnings from the court appeared to have stopped the offending. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said “I think the penny has dropped.” 

Judge Andrew Cody asked if the boy was obeying a court imposed curfew. Sgt Kirby said he believed he was. 

The parents of the boy accompanied him to court. His mother said, “he is doing very well.  He is staying out of trouble.”  She said the boy had started attending a boxing club. 

“It is a turn around and anybody who does that gets full benefit from me,” said Judge Cody. 

“I will do my very best for you providing I get a very good probation report in September,” said Judge Cody. 

He told the boy to remain “on the straight and narrow” and said “I want you to go back to school and I want to see you remaining in school.” 

He adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on October 16 and extended legal aid in the case.