Stole alcohol, washing tablets and bed linen in Laois

A man admitted stealing clothes, washing tablets, alcohol and bed linen from shops in Laois. 

Kevin Hourigan (36) of 37 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, appeared in court accused of stealing Percil tablets valued at €46 from Mulhalls, Lyster Square, Portlaoise on  March 23, alcohol valued at €76 from Dunnes Stores, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise on April 8 and alcohol valued at €114 from the same store on April 9. He was further charged with stealing bed linen valued at €100 from Dunnes Stores, Kyle Centre,  Portlaoise on June 27 and €243.95 of clothing from TK Maxx on June 13, 2025. 

He appeared before Portlaoise District Court via videolink where  he was represented by Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick. 

“Joe, can we wrap this sh*t up today,” he asked as the case got underway at Portlaoise District Court. 

Judge Susan Fay said she hadn’t caught what the defendant had said. Ms  Fitzpatrick explained that her client wanted the matters dealt with that day.

She said her client had been doing well for a while and was on 80mls of methadone but she said there had been an issue with his address. The defendant said “it was burnt down”. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man had stolen washing tablets from Mulhalls which weren’t recovered. He took two bottles of Jameson whiskey from Dunnes Stores, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise on April 8 and three bottles of Jameson whiskey from the same shop a day later on April 9. He said the property wasn’t recovered. 

The man went into TK Maxx on June 13 and stole clothing valued at €243.95 and the property wasn’t recovered, said Sgt Kirby. On June 27, the man took four bed linen duvets from Dunnes Stores. These items were recovered, said Sgt Kirby. He said the man had 133 previous convictions. 

Judge Fay said the total loss incurred by the businesses of Laois was €479.95. “That’s excluding the bed linen from Dunnes Stores,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said there was “no prospect” of her client being able to pay compensation. She said he had been doing well and was on a methadone programme but he had difficulties with his accommodation. 

“I just had a string of bad luck. It is what it is,” the man told the court. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man had other matters before the court in Athlone, Co Westmeath. 

“I would ask the court to do its best,” she said. 

Judge Fay sentenced the man to a total of ten months in prison.