Mountmellick trespasser was ‘looking for a dog’

Court hears man who pleaded guilty to trespassing in Mountmellick was ‘looking for a dog’. 

Brendan Coss, (27),  of 43 Willow Grove, Mountmellick, admitted trespassing at a house in Kirwan Park, Mountmellick on March 16 last. 

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said the man approached a doorway at Kirwan Park and the injured party is known to the defendant. He said the man has 20 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to trespass and had no prior convictions for the offence. 

She said the “primary concern here was that the doorbell was rung so early” in the morning.  

“The accused was looking for a dog that escaped from a friend’s house,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

She said he was caught on doorbell footage and he did cooperate with gardaí.  She said the man has “turned a corner” and was now working as a roofer. 

Judge Susan Fay referred the man for restorative justice. “I want a victim impact statement as well. I want both because this is somebody’s home,” she said. 

The case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on April 20, 2026.