‘Belligerent’ drunk mistook Laois house for IPAS centre and set off alarm

A drunk and ‘belligerent’ man had mistaken a house of foreign workers in Portlaoise for an IPAS centre when he trespassed and set off an alarm, a court heard.  

Owen Lawlor (33) of 25 Oakleaf Place, Knockmay, Portlaoise, admitted trespass, assault with intent to resist, criminal damage to a pair of glasses and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at a property on Coote Street, Portlaoise, on October 11, 2025. He further admitted being intoxicated at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise on October 31, 2025. 

Garda Shane Meenaghan said the defendant entered the property on Coote Street at 9.50pm. 

“Mr Lawlor had entered a premises that he believed to be an IPAS centre. He had set off an alarm,” said Garda Meenaghan.  He explained that the man had made everyone leave the property and he described the accused as being intoxicated and “belligerent” at the time. 

Garda Meenaghan said the defendant was “saying things about government members” and “how foreigners shouldn’t be in the country” during the incident. 

He  said four Gardaí were required to arrest the accused who “swung out and hit Garda O’Sullivan in the eye” during the arrest. He said the damage to the glasses amounted to €410. 

“He does appear to be a different man today to the man I met that night,” said Garda Meenaghan. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was drunk and had to be arrested for his own safety outside the emergency department of Portlaoise Hospital on October 31 at 2.40am. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client hasn’t been before the courts since 2020. 

“Whilst his behaviour was appalling on the night it is absolutely out of character for him,” she said. 

“He is ashamed of his behaviour on both nights,” Ms Fitzpatrick told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.  “They were both clearly drink fueled and he is very much ashamed,” she said. 

She said the defendant was on disability and would have mental health issues. She said he had worked in the past in security. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client apologises unreservedly for the things he said on the night. She said he intends to save from his disability allowance for compensation and was seeking help for his drinking. 

Judge Susan Fay asked Garda Meenaghan about the people who were in the property that was entered on the night. 

“There were approximately eight people in it. They were males who were working for a solar panel company,” he explained.  

He said the occupants were Bulgarian nationals and this may have led to the defendant mistaking the property for an IPAS centre. 

Judge Fay asked about a victim impact statement in relation to the incident. 

Sgt Kirby said Garda O’Sullivan didn’t want to make a victim impact statement. 

Garda Meenaghan said the males living at the address didn’t understand what the accused was saying on the night. “There was a female partner of one and she could understand,” he said. 

“They left the house as the alarm was going off,” said Garda Meenaghan. 

Judge Fay said she was going to refer the matter for restorative justice, a probation report and she wanted a community service suitability assessment carried out. 

She remanded the man on bail and adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on June 15 when she said she wanted compensation of €410 in court.