Unsafe for man to be in Portlaoise, court told

Portlaoise District Court was told a man was unable to attend as it would be unsafe for him to come to the town. 

Bernard McDonagh (29) of Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise, was due before Portlaoise District Court where he was accused of stealing alcohol valued at €19.75 from Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on July 15. 

Andrew Dunne BL said “there was an incident last week and it would not be safe for Mr McDonagh to be in Portlaoise.” 

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said “the State accepts that.” 

Mr Dunne told Judge Deirdre Gearty that he had been instructed to enter a guilty plea in relation to the matter. 

Judge Gearty said the defendant had to choose whether to hear the case in the district or circuit court and she couldn’t accept the plea. “He does need to be put on his election,” she explained.  

Judge Gearty did accept jurisdiction in the case and ordered disclosure including CCTV. She  advised Mr Dunne to discuss the issue with his solicitor, Philip Meagher. She adjourned the case until October 13 and said she would write down “venue ?” on the record for the next appearance.