Portlaoise man accused of bail breaches has charges struck out

A man who was accused of theft and breaching his bail has had all of his charges dropped.

Lee Dargan (37) of 3 The Cottages, Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise, was accused of stealing alcohol worth €12 from Aldi in Portlaoise on April 27, cider valued at €12.90 from Dunnes Stores, Portlaoise on May 7 and alcohol valued at €17 from the same store on May 19, 2026.

He was brought before Portaloise District Court on October 12 accused of breaching his bail conditions and allowed one week to provide proof he was using prescribed sleeping tablets and had been at home when Gardaí called to check.

However, when the case was called again on October 19, Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that there was an issue with the man’s warrant.

“He was brought before the court on foot of this warrant and all matters were brought on foot of this warrant,” Ms Fitzpatrick said. She said the warrant wasn’t good because it was incorrectly dated.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Ms Fitzpatrick was “putting the cart before the horse” and he said Judge Tom MacSharry had requested proof from the man’s GP in relation to sleeping tablets but none was before the court.

Judge Andrew Gubbins said “I have to agree with Ms Fitzpatrick. The warrant itself isn’t safe.” He said the State could start again but all he could do was strike it out. He granted legal aid to Ms Fitzpatrick at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.