Man with 123 previous convictions stole Buzzballz in Laois
He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A man with 123 previous convictions who used alcohol as a crutch was convicted of stealing buzzballz in Portarlington.
John Ryan (40) of 5 College View, Mountmellick, admitted stealing €10 of alcohol from Spar, Station Road, Portarlington, on January 28, 2026 and being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Harbour Street, Mountmellick, on January 5, 2026.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had gone into the off licence at Spar and placed two Buzzballz in his coat before going to the counter and paying for some cans and leaving at 6.20pm on January 28.
He said Gardaí encountered the defendant drinking from a bottle of spirits on Harbour Street in Mountmellick on January 5 at 1am. Sgt Kirby said the accused was “highly intoxicated” and “started shouting expletives and had to be arrested”. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the man had 123 previous convictions.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said the evidence was accepted. He said his client had “made good” with the shop with the assistance of his sister. He said an apology was proffered along with the money.
Mr Meagher said his client had been dealing with a lot of personal issues during the month of January and “he was leaning on alcohol as a form of emotional crutch”. Mr Meagher said the man was engaging with the probation service and was attending Community Alcohol and Drugs Services (CADS). He said the man told him he hadn’t had a drink in six weeks.
Judge Susan Fay ordered a same day community service assessment. When the case was called again she was told the man was suitable for community service.
She imposed 60 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison in respect of the theft and took the public order offences into consideration.