Man with 122 convictions stole from sports store in Laois

A man with 122 previous convictions was “strung out on drugs” when he stole three pairs of tracksuit bottoms from Elvery’s Sports in Laois. 

Patrick Stokes (24) of Apartment 4, Avoca House, Temple Street West, Dublin 7 admitted stealing three pairs of Under Armour tracksuit bottoms valued at €490 from Elvery Sports, Kyle Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on March 15, 2025. 

Garda David O’Byrne said the defendant replied “I was strung out on drugs at the time. I apologise to Gardaí and staff at Elverys Sports, Kyle Centre, Portlaoise” when charged with the offence.

Garda O’Byrne said the man went into the store, took the items and left without paying on the date in question. He said the man had 122 previous convictions including 57 for theft. “He is currently in prison in the Midlands,” he added. The court was told the man’s release date was in October 2026. 

Anne Doyle BL said her client has been doing well and is off drugs since his incarceration. She said he is attending the gym and has turned his life around. She said he was pleading guilty and hadn’t troubled the court. 

“He has asked me to convey his apology to the court and the staff at Elverys,” she said. 

Judge Andrew Cody said the man was aged “24 with 122 convictions including 57 for theft. It is not something that can be ignored”. 

He sentenced the man to three months in prison and said the sentence should commence on the expiry of his current sentence. 

Ms Doyle requested legal aid and asked the recognisance be fixed in case of appeal. Judge Cody fixed recognisance and granted the legal aid.