Father of child killed in road accident pleads for chance at Laois court

A former Irish international boxer who admitted abusing drugs and committing crimes after his child was killed in a traffic accident in Portlaoise begged a judge to give him another chance.

Bernard McDonagh (30), of Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of theft, drug possession and public order offences dating from May to October of 2025.

He appeared without a solicitor at Portlaoise District Court due to the ongoing legal aid dispute.

“I want to represent myself in here please,” he told Judge Andrew Cody as he pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes gave an outline of the evidence. He said the defendant had gone into Penney’s in Portlaoise and taken clothing valued at €100 on September 27 and no items were recovered. On the same date, the man went into an Off Licence on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise and stole two cans of Jack Daniels valued at €7.30 and again no property was recovered.

Sgt Hughes said the man went into Lifestyle Sports in Portlaoise on September 2 and stole items and no property was recovered. On September 5 he was discovered intoxicated and lying on the ground at Market Square in Portalosie and when searched Gardaí discovered drugs valued at €20.

The man was further accused of being intoxicated at Main Street, Portlaoise on September 18, stealing groceries valued at €80 from Mulhall’s Supervalu in Portlaoise on October 10 and groceries valued at €70 from the same shop on September 28, 2025.

Sgt Hughes said the man had 41 previous convictions which included theft, assault and burglary.

Mr McDonagh said his previous convictions for burglary and theft date back to 2015. He said he had been jailed as a result of his actions.

“I lost my daughter back in 2023, my daughter got knocked down by a car,” he said.

He told the court that the offending occurred last year when he was drinking every day and using drugs. “I was on heroin, I was on crack,” he said.

Mr McDonagh said most of the thefts related to alcohol and he couldn’t recall stealing clothes. He said he wouldn’t have committed the crimes if he wasn’t abusing alcohol and drugs.

“For the last year I went to England. I got myself right,” he said. “I did it with my own family in the Traveller community,” he stated.

Mr McDonagh said he had spent five months in Wales and while in the UK he had gotten clean of drink and drugs. “I went cold turkey,” he said.

“I am 30 years old now. I am a changed man from last year,” said Mr McDonagh.

He said prison really “messes” with his head and he said he was prepared to do anything the court requested.

“Please, I am begging you just to give me one chance,” said Mr McDonagh.

“The guards will never have problems with me again in Portlaoise,” he insisted.

On hearing the defendant, Sgt Hughes said, “from what I know of him the root of his problems would be alcohol and drugs.”

Mr McDonagh said the reason he had been reluctant to turn himself in to Gardaí on his return from the UK was because he knew he wouldn’t have legal representation as a result of the ongoing legal aid dispute. “I heard these legal battles with the solicitors,” he said.

Mr McDonagh said he had apologised to the shops he stole from and “told them I will pay back every penny”.

He insisted he was a changed man and explained that he had previously boxed for Ireland on a number of occasions. “I am the man I always wanted to be,” he said.

“I know the guards is probably sick of me and I am sorry,” said Mr McDonagh.

“I will do anything. If I have to sweep the streets of Portlaoise for three years” I will, he said.

Judge Andrew Cody ordered a probation and welfare report and said he wanted clean urine samples for July, August, September and October.

“I am going to give the guards liberty to re-enter on 24 hours notice,” Judge Cody warned the man.

Judge Cody warned him that “if you put your nose outside the door” the guards will re-enter the charges and the defendant can expect a “paddywagon to Cloverhill”. He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on November 11.