Intoxicated chef was banging on house door on Main Street in Laois town

An intoxicated chef was banging on the door of a house in Rathdowney, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told. 

Sunpreet Singh Hansra (33) of 26 Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath admitted being intoxicated at Main Street, Rathdowney on November 8, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man was very drunk and banging on a door. He said the occupant didn’t know the man and was refusing to allow him in. He said the defendant had 28 previous convictions and was serving a prison sentence.   

Solicitor Brian Duffy said his client was an Indian national who has been in Ireland a number of years. He said the man had gotten a job as a chef through an online forum and was supposed to get accommodation with the role but the man had gotten late notice that his position was terminated. The man believed the house was that of his employer, explained Mr Duffy. 

He said the defendant was now doing well in prison where he was attending school and he wished to apologise to the gardaí and the owner of the property. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €250 and gave him six months to pay.