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12 Oct 2025
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12 Oct 2025
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Laois Shopping Centre
A court was told the fire brigade had to be called when a sprinkler system was activated causing damage at Laois Shopping Centre.
A boy (16) with a Laois address appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court accused of causing criminal damage to a sprinkler system and escalator at Laois Shopping Centre on October 24 last year.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said there should be a “relatively positive” probation report in relation to the teenager.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby gave an outline of the allegation at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
He said it occurred at around 6.30pm when the defendant threw a usb cable in the direction of a sprinkler head which broke and sprayed water down onto an escalator. He said the fire brigade had to be called. The incident led to damage to the sprinkler system, an escalator and resulted in a call out charge from the fire bridge. In total, the court was told the bill from the incident amounted to around €3,500.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant was arrested and admitted damaging the sprinkler.
Mr Meagher said his client had entered a plea of guilty in relation to being reckless. He said the man was with a group of young girls including his cousins on the date in question.
The girls were going down the “travelator” to the lower floor and had gone ahead of the teenager, said Mr Meagher. He explained that “one of his cousins shouted at him did he have his phone charger” and the boy threw the cable to her.
“He would have had no way of knowing what damage it would cause,” said Mr Meagher.
“It was simply an act of stupidity. He decided to throw the charger,” he added.
Judge Fay asked the defendant if he was attending an education course. He confirmed that he was. She then asked for an updated probation report and said “I want to see a letter that he is turning up every day.”
She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on November 24 in order for the up to date probation report and letter to be produced.
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