Accused of burgling six farms, trespassing and stealing tools in Laois

A man appeared in court accused of burgling farms at a number of locations in Laois. 

Noel Byrne (27) of 23 Riverbank, Poachers Gate, Carlow was arrested by Detective Garda Padraic Ryan. The man is accused of six burglaries and two trespass incidents at farmyards in the county.  

Det Ryan said the defendant made no reply to any of the charge sheets. He said the DPP had directed summary disposal, meaning that the case could be dealt with in the district court. 

Judge Susan Fay asked Det Ryan about the nature of the allegations. 

Det Ryan said there were six burglaries and two trespass incidents. 

He said it would be alleged the man “drove into a number of farmyards and entered farmyards and took property.”

The defendant is accused of the theft of two chainsaws and garden strimmers during a burglary at Ballickmoyler between October 10 and 11, 2024. 

On October 12, 2024 the man is alleged to have driven a black VW Passat car into a yard at Clonsoghey, Mountmellick and stolen an anvil valued at €500 from a shed. 

He is charged with the theft of a heater worth €400 taken in a burglary at a milking parlour in Kilbricken between October 15 and 16. He is accused of stealing a generator valued at €3,000 during the burglary of another property at Campeclone, Kilbricken on October 15. 

On October 15, 2024 he is also alleged to have taken a leaf blower and chainsaw during a burglary in Ballacolla. 

The defendant is alleged to have burgled another property in Ballacolla on the same day when a €360 chainsaw, €500 drill, €140 grinder, €200 drill, charger and box worth €150, a €300 drill and an electric clippers worth €750 were taken. 

On October 15, it is also alleged that the defendant entered a building at Springfield, Ballacolla. 

Det Ryan said the defendant and the black VW Passat car had been captured on CCTV in Springfield.

“He had no reason to be in this yard,” he explained. 

Counsel for the accused said the burglaries by and large “don’t seem to be residential burglaries” where people are present. 

Judge Susan Fay said she was refusing jurisdiction in relation to the case indicating that the matter should be heard in a higher court. 

She remanded the defendant on bail to reappear before Portlaoise District Court on March 10 for service of the book of evidence.