Man with 154 previous convictions stole washing powder in Laois

A man admitted stealing €64 worth of washing powder from a shop in Portlaoise.

PJ O’Shea (34) of 20 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, admitted stealing the washing powder from Tesco Express, Fairgreen, Portlaoise on July 31, 2026.

He appeared via video link before Judge Andrew Gubbins at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant “would be well known to the court”. He explained that the accused had been stopped leaving the shop and the goods were recovered. He said the man had 154 previous convictions.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald described his client’s previous convictions as “voluminous” and said many were for theft. He explained that the man had been sentenced to three months in prison for similar offences at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court a week earlier.

Mr Fitzgerald asked that the judge not add more time to that sentence. He said his client had mental health difficulties and he had been doing well but he “fell off the wagon” and had been abusing “street tablets” when the offending took place. He told Judge Gubbins that the offences occurred around the same time as the matters he had been sentenced for a week earlier.

Judge Gubbins said “I think my hands are tied in that it has to be consecutive” as the offence had been committed while he believed he was on bail at the time of the offence.

Mr Fitzgerald said Judge Cody was familiar with the defendant and he might provide clarity as to whether or not the man had been on bail. He suggested the court “stay its hand” in the case.

However, Judge Gubbins imposed a one month sentence which he suspended for six months.