Female co-accused charged over Laois filling station robbery

A co-accused is to be sent for trial along with a man who is alleged to have robbed two filling stations in Portarlington. 

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.

He is also charged with attempted robbery of a man and carrying a firearm with criminal intent on Main Street, Portarlington  on January 23, 2026.  The firearm was described as a 6mm calibre non branded air gun modelled on a Glock semi automatic pistol.  

He appeared before Portlaoise District Court via video where he consented to the book of evidence, which contained all the charges except the the offences of trespass, being served on his solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there was a co-accused in the case and Detective Garda Padraic Ryan said she was to face trial on indictment. The woman faces a single charge. 

Alison Denton (42) of 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington, Laois is accused of the robbery of the €780 in cash from the Maxol Service Station, Main Street, Portarlington on January 23, 2026. 

Garda Lisa Murray said she served a book of evidence on the accused at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said DPP had consented to the defendant being sent forward to the next sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court sitting on April 21. 

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Judge Andrew Cody issued an alibi warning to the defendant and sent her case forward to the next sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court on April 21. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald requested legal aid for his client who he said was welfare dependent.  He was granted legal aid for one solicitor and one barrister in the case. 

On hearing there was no objection to bail, Judge Cody remanded the woman on bail to appear before Portlaoise Circuit Court on April 21. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client hadn’t looked for bail. She requested legal aid for a solicitor and two counsel for her client due to the seriousness of the allegations.