Inmate admits having phone in Portlaoise Prison

An inmate has admitted possessing a mobile phone in Portlaoise Prison. 

William O’Shea, 39, with an address at Dunmore Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork admitted having a mobile phone in prison on April 4, 2023. 

Garda Detective JP O’Brien said the accused replied “I’m sorry” when he  was arrested and charged. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was serving a sentence from Cork Circuit Court and was due for release on May 16, 2024. 

He said there was no “sinister” reason for the man to have the phone and he asked that his time in prison not be extended. Mr Fitzgerald said the man was punished in prison and had lost privileges as a result of the detection. 

Judge Nicola Andrews sentenced the man to two weeks in prison from the date of the court appearance. At the request of Det O’Brien, she ordered the destruction of the mobile phone.