Passenger in fatal Laois crash suffered trauma and began drinking, court told

A passenger in a car involved in a fatal crash which killed an American tourist suffered trauma and began drinking, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told. 

Lee Dennehy (23) of 25 Roselawn, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of Jameson and a bottle of Bushmills Whiskey from Aldi, Portlaoise on September 23, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 5pm when the defendant walked into Aldi and took two bottles before walking out. He said the man was later identified by CCTV. He said the alcohol was valued at €55.50.  He said the accused had a number of previous convictions for public order offences and theft. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had been a passenger in a car which was involved in a fatal accident at a local tourist spot. He said an American tourist was killed and a second tourist was badly injured. 

“He suffered huge trauma and after that he began drinking,” said Mr Meagher. 

Mr Meagher said there was no sophistication in the thefts and in 98% of the offences “he would walk in in a drunken state, pick up a bottle and walk out”. 

He told the court that the defendant’s “life became chaotic” but he had since secured a job, met a girl and had stopped drinking. He said the man has engaged with local addiction services and hasn’t had a drink in ten weeks. 

Judge Peter White noted a probation order for July of 2024 had recommended that he engage with community alcohol services. “This isn’t his first rodeo,” said Judge White. 

Mr Meagher said his client was ten weeks clean, living with his mother and keeping down a job in a factory. He said he believed the man had turned a corner and he suggested the court might keep an eye on the defendant. 

Judge White agreed to give the man “one further chance” and he urged him to “turn that corner” and get his life on track. 

He ordered him to repay the money to Aldi and place him on a 12 month probation bond on condition he continues to engage with alcohol services.