Suspect curled up like a ‘hedgehog’ at Portlaoise robbery scene

A court was told a man who drove a car causing the death of a tourist in a “horrific” crash in Laois had developed a form of psychosis.

Jamie Kearns (22) of 22 Cosby Avenue, Portlaoise, appeared in court accused of robbery and stealing a tip jar and production of a knife at Chequers Pizza, Portlaoise on May 11, 2025.

He was further accused of possession of a knife, being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Cosby Avenue, Fairgreen, Portlaoise on April 29, 2025 and with stealing a chicken fillet roll and a swiss roll cake valued at €11.85 from Circle K, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise on May 11, 2025.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant had gone into Chequers with a knife and demanded money for food. He said the man was arrested and made admissions.

Sgt Kirby said Gardaí were alerted to a man with a knife in Fairgreen on April 29. He said the defendant was on the footpath shouting at passersby at 9.10pm. When they arrived, the defendant “complied with the directions to drop the knife” before being arrested.

Sgt Kirby said the defendant had previous convictions for dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing serious harm as well as the theft of a bicycle.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was 22 and unemployed and his father was in court to support him. He explained that the man “was involved in a very serious and tragic road traffic accident” involving two tourists who had stopped off at a local attraction.

Mr Meagher said his client had just bought a car and wasn’t used to driving at the time of the crash. A woman was killed and her husband was badly injured, said Mr Meagher.

Mr Meagher said “the circumstances were particularly horrific” and “it was a particularly traumatising event”.

“He acknowledges at all times that it was totally his fault,” Mr Meagher added. He said his client had begun abusing alcohol and he would have “violent outbursts” and everyone around him was affected. “His condition developed into a form of psychosis,” said Mr Meagher.

He said the defendant was now on medication but suffers with anxiety and is taking it very slowly. He stays at home a lot, said Mr Meagher.

“He does show empathy for the upset and trauma caused by his behaviour,” he remarked.

Mr Meagher said the man had gone into the pizzeria and picked up the tip jar before putting it down again. He then “curled up in a ball” in a booth in the pizzeria with the knife in front of him, he explained.

Mr Meagher said his client was improving now that he was medicated.

“It would be hoped that he would be able to get into some kind of course,” said Mr Meagher.

Judge Catherine Ryan asked “what reason has he for having a knife?”

“I would almost call it a cry for help,” Mr Meagher replied.

He said the man had been “very paranoid” and was wary of any type of help from anyone. He said there was no real effort to threaten anyone with the knife.

“He went over to a booth and curled up in a ball like a hedgehog,” Mr Meagher pointed out.

“I think in reality he knew he was going to be arrested,” he said.

Judge Ryan said “what is concerning is having items like that in public.” She said there are no assurances that someone who is not in their right mind mightn’t use it.

“That is really what the worry is for this court,” said Judge Ryan.

She said it was helpful that the man’s father had attended court to support his son.

Judge Ryan asked Sgt Kirby whether the man had come to the attention of Gardaí since the incident. “No, he hasn’t,” Sgt Kirby replied.

The man’s father said his son was now on different medication.

Judge Ryan said “the worry is he goes off the medication”.

She noted that the issue of community service hadn’t been explored in the man’s probation report. She ordered an assessment and adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on July 20.