Man admits burgling house and breaking a window in Portlaoise
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court
A man who was in the throes of addiction burgled a house and caused criminal damage to a second property.
Seamus Coss (36) of 64 O’Moore Street, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to burglary at Heather Lane, Esker Hills, Portlaoise on June 29, 2025, criminal damage to a back window at Parklane, Maryborough, Portlaoise on March 18, 2026 and obstruction and possession of drugs at O’Moore Street, Portlaoise on February 20, 2026.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man entered the rear door of a house in Heather Lane and searched a number of jackets at 3.30 am on June 29, 2025. He stole €60 from a pocket of one of the jackets and left the property through the back door.
Sgt Kirby said when Gardaí arrived to search the defendant’s property on February 20 he “jumped out the upstairs window onto a roof” and was subsequently found in possession of drugs valued at €50.
Sgt Kirby said Gardai received a call about “a male coming out from behind a house” where an alarm had gone off on March 18. They noticed a ground floor window had been smashed in the house. The defendant was identified from a community alert whatsapp message, said Sgt Kirby. He said the man was arrested and admitted the offence. The damaged window was valued at €500.
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty. He said the man had been in custody since March 19. He said the man has done very well in custody and was “strung out on heroin” when the offending occurred.
Mr Fitzgerald said the defendant and his siblings have had a very difficult life and his client had been in and out of prison all of his adult life.
Judge Fay remanded the man in custody and ordered a probation report. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 25.