Man took wallet left at Laois petrol station

A man who took a wallet which was left at a petrol station in Portlaoise has appeared in court accused of theft.

Gerard McInerney (48) of 5 Shannon Road, Mountrath, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of stealing a wallet containing €605 in cash, cards and documents from Gala, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise on April 7, 2025.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at the filling station at 3pm on the date in question when the man picked up the wallet containing the cash and items. He said the defendant was identified on CCTV thanks to the good work of Garda Hogan.

Sgt Kirby said the man was identified and arrested and “interviewed and in fairness to him he made full admissions”. He said the man had 25 previous convictions.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was pleading guilty.

“This was a very stupid spur of the moment decision,” he told Judge Andrew Gubbins.

“He simply pulled into a garage and the victim had exited from a van and had clearly dropped a wallet on the ground,” he said.

Mr Meagher said his client saw the wallet and made “a very stupid decision” to take it. He said the man was in receipt of disability and had made admissions to Gardai. He said the man had brought €300 to court and would need some time to gather the remainder of the €605.

Judge Gubbins asked if the wallet had been recovered. Sgt Kirby said the wallet wasn’t returned to the owner.

“The least he can do is reimburse the sum that was stolen,” said Judge Gubbins.

He adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on November 16 for payment of the €305 balance.