Man sentenced for having phones in Portlaoise Prison
The man appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A prison sentence was handed down to a man who was caught with mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison.
Sean Maloney (28) of 20 Ballywaltrim Heights, Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow was found in possession of mobile phones in Portlaoise Prison on March 13, 2025.
Andrew Dunne BL said there was a probation report and governors report before the court in relation to his client.
Judge Catherine Ryan asked for details of the offence and the man’s release date. She was told he was due for release from prison on November 21, 2026.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a smart phone and three fob phones were discovered during a search of the man’s cell. He said the man had 53 previous convictions.
Mr Dunne said his client comes from a good family and had suffered with addiction. He explained that the man had already been punished for the offence in prison where he had lost some privileges following the offence.
Judge Ryan noted the man was “serving a sentence and had a raft of previous convictions that are drug related” which she said was concerning.
“The governor’s report isn’t entirely glowing I am afraid,” she remarked.
“There are a lot of issues there that are coming to the governor’s attention,” said Judge Ryan.
On reading the reports, Judge Ryan said she believed the offending had crossed the threshold for a custodial penalty. She said the probation report notes that the defendant is at a very high risk of reoffending.
She imposed a five month consecutive prison sentence which will extend the man’s time in prison. She said the sentence was warranted in light of the man’s previous convictions and the governor’s report.
Judge Ryan fixed recognisance in case of appeal and granted legal aid to Mr Dunne.