Murderer returned to prison after being found intoxicated in Portlaoise

A convicted murderer was returned to prison after being discovered in an intoxicated state at Portlaoise Train Station. 

Anthony Casey (45) of No Fixed Abode, admitted being intoxicated at Portlaoise Train Station and possessing €20 worth of drugs on February 11, 2026. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man was discovered “hunched over” at the train station at 12.45pm. He said the man was unsteady on his feet and when searched €20 of drugs were discovered. 

Sgt Kirby said the defendant had served a life sentence for a murder which was committed in 1997. He said the man was out on temporary release when he was discovered at the train station. 

“There were certain conditions he had to abide by. This triggered him having to go back into custody,” said Sgt Kirby.  He said the man is of No Fixed Address. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was returned to custody the day after his arrest at the train station. She explained that he had been jailed for murder in 2002. 

“If these matters lead to a formal conviction it certainly is going to cause him further difficulties in terms of further temporary release,” she said. 

“I would say that he has certainly served his time in terms of the conviction for the murder,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

The court was told the defendant had been in jail from 2002 to 2022. Ms Fitzpatrick said he had been granted conditional temporary release in 2022 and was in his fourth year of being released when this offending occurred leading to his return to prison. 

Sgt Kirby expressed concern about the man’s  lack of address. He said there was an address given but the defendant doesn’t reside there. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said “because of the sentence he was serving he doesn’t want to say in open court”. She said her client had a genuine concern about revealing his address. 

Sgt Kirby said “that address that is on his charge sheet, there is someone else totally different living there now”. 

Judge Catherine Ryan wanted to know what a conviction would mean for the defendant. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said “it is within the gift of the Irish Prison Service”. 

Judge Ryan noted the guilty plea and fined the man €75 for being intoxicated in public and she marked the drugs charge facts proven before striking it out.