Man fails to appear in court over Laois storage unit burglary
The man’s father had provided a cash bail a week earlier
One of two men allegedly caught ‘red handed’ breaking into storage units in Laois failed to turn up in court.
Leon Thompson (24), of 26 Glenfield Drive, Ronanstown, Dublin 22, is accused of unauthorised carriage and burglary at Goldfinch Storage, Green Road, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix on July 12, 2026.
Despite Garda objection, he was granted bail when his father produced €500 in cash during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court on July 13. He was due to appear in court again but failed to show up.
“That €500 didn’t last too long,” Judge Andrew Cody noted. He forfeited the cash to the State and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant.
Co-accused, Andrew Byrne (40), of No Fixed Abode, Dublin 1, is charged with handling stolen property, burglary and unauthorised carriage in a stolen vehicle at Goldfinch Storage, Green Road, Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix on July 12, 2026.
He was given consent to bail but was unable to come up with the €2,500 necessary. He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court via video link and said he would be applying for bail at the High Court.
Judge Cody adjourned the case to July 27. “10.30 next Monday. On that day I want to know whether you are pleading guilty or not,” he said.