Man accused of armed robberies in Laois

A man appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of armed robbery in Laois. 

Liam Grennan (30) of No Fixed Abode is accused of the robbery of €335 at Applegreen filling station in Portarlington and €780 from Maxol filling station in Portarlington January 23 last. 

He is further accused of burglary at Dowling’s Newsagents, Portlaoise Shopping Centre on January 21 and with burglary at Mahon House, James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise and trespass at two houses at Craven Court, Portlaoise,  burglary at a third house in Craven Court, Portlaoise and theft of a €23 bottle of Paddy Power whiskey from Dunnes Stores, Portlaoise Shopping  Centre on the same date.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said she had expected DPP directions in the case when the accused appeared at Portlaoise District Court via video link. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the delay was due to the size of the investigation. He said Gardaí were investigating two alleged armed robberies, an attempted robbery and a burglary and a theft.

“It is certainly given priority because this gentleman is in custody”, he said. However, Sgt Kirby said there were a number of alleged injured parties including “elderly people” and taxi drivers and he described it as a “big investigation”. 

He said it would be alleged the defendant robbed a shop while armed with a handgun and that he also attempted to rob a taxi driver. 

Judge Susan Fay said the defendant enjoyed the presumption of innocence and she asked if directions would be available in two months. 

Sgt  Kirby said one of the alleged injured parties was an 80 year old woman. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the offences were alleged to have happened in January and there was more than one member of Gardaí investigating. 

“The fact that there are elderly alleged victims shouldn’t preclude the gathering of information”, said Ms Fitzpatrick. She said her client hasn’t applied for bail since going into custody. 

Judge Fay adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on March 23. She said she would like to have a timeline for directions on that date.