Laois doesn’t need criminal tourists, court told

An air fryer thief who was arrested at Portlaoise Train Station was told that Laois didn’t need any criminal tourists. 

Sean Keenan (30) of 48 Rosse Court Heights, Balgaddy Road, Lucan, Dublin, was accused of stealing an air fryer valued at €70 from Lidl in Portlaoise on February 9, 2026. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence. She said the man, who appeared at Portlaoise District Court via video link, had already spent two days in custody on the charge and the air fryer was recovered.

Garda Inspector Barry Houlihan said a male and female had entered Lidl in Portlaoise on February 9 and the man stole an air fryer.  

He said the man was “stopped at Portlaoise Train Station and found in possession of the air fryer”.  He told the court that the man had 119 previous convictions. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was entering a guilty plea. Thankfully through the good work of the Gardaí the item was recovered, she said. She said her client had a difficult upbringing and struggled with addiction. He also suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Andrew Cody said that while he accepted the early plea he couldn’t ignore the 119 previous convictions. 

“Had he any business in Portlaoise other than coming down to steal?” he asked. 

“We have enough of our own without tourists coming down to steal as well,” he said. 

Judge Cody noted the man “did a runner last week” and was caught half way down the Main Street. He imposed a six month prison sentence and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.