Man allegedly set fire to newspapers worth €300 at Laois shop
The case was called before Portlaoise District Court
A court was told a man allegedly set fire to newspapers, stole from a shop and was in possession of drugs in Laois.
Paul Davis (39) of 19 Coney Avenue, Coneyboro, Athy, Co Kildare was accused of theft from Applegreen, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on November 1 and possession of drugs for sale or supply at the same location. He was further accused of criminal damage at Station Road, Portarlington on November 2, 2025.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man allegedly took beer valued at €4.80 and €20 of phone credit from Applegreen. When searched by gardai the man had 336 sleeping tablets on his person valued at €2 each, said Sgt Kirby.
He said it would be alleged that the man set fire to €300 worth of newspapers outside a shop in Portarlington on November 2 at 6am.
Anne Doyle BL said her client wasn’t present as he was in a psychiatric hospital.
Judge Susan Fay adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on December 22 for a plea or a date for hearing. Sgt Kirby asked that proof of the defendant’s hospitalisation be brought to the next court sitting.