Man burgled pub on Laois Main Street and left phone and bag behind

A man who admitted burgling a Portlaoise pub left his phone and a backpack in the premises, a court was told. 

James O’Donnell (46) of 67 St Brigid’s Place, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to burgling Grellan Delaney’s Pub on Main Street, Portlaoise on July 30 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 4am when the injured party heard his dog barking. He said the man saw the defendant on the street with two jackets and a hat belonging to the injured party which had been taken from his apartment. “The injured party recovered the hat and jackets from the male,” said Sgt Kirby. 

He then discovered the cold room had been entered and alcohol and earpods were missing, said Sgt Kirby. He said the accused had left his mobile phone and backpack at the scene. He said the man had 16 previous convictions.  

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence.  She said he made full admissions despite having “no recollection whatsoever” of the incident. “He did accept that it was him on the CCTV,” she said.  

Ms Fitzpatrick, who described the injured party as “a very brave man”,  said her client was on a methadone programme but he had been offered tablets on the night. She said he is “extremely embarrassed” about the incident. She said the man had lost a family member in a road traffic collision in 2006.  

Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report, restorative justice and granted legal aid to Ms Fitzpatrick. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 5 for an update.