Man (24) admitted a series of shoplifting offences across Louth

A 24-year-old man who admitted a series of shoplifting offences, was also found carrying a 'Stanley-type' knife  on a separate occasion, Dundalk district court was told last week.

The court heard Aaron Reilly with an address at the Simon Community, Barrack Street, Dundalk was seen dropping the red handled knife into a bin, from which it was recovered, after gardaí received an anonyous report of a male acting suspiciously in the Marshes Shopping Centre on January 20th last year.

He stole over €56 worth of Kopperberg cider after going up to the counter at Centra, Main Street in Dunleer on June 4th 2025.

He asked for cigarettes before grabbing the drink and running out the door.

A variety of alcohol was stolen from The Forge filling station in Castlebelllingham on February 11th the same year.

The defendant also attempted to steal a bottle of Jameson, a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Lucozade and a confectionary item from Dunne's Centra, Castle Street, Ardee on March 1st 2025, but the property was recovered from him before gardaí arrived on the scene. 

Aaron Reilly was subsequently found at a bus stop and when he was searched two bottles of wine worth €16 were recovered.

Almost €38 worth of Kopperberg was stolen from Londis, Quay Street, Dundalk on January 20th last year.

That offence was just under three weeks after the defendant was a passenger in a stolen car that was stopped in Castleblayney. 

The court heard it had been taken in Dundalk and CCTV of the theft showed the defendant entering the driver's side of the car.

The defendant also fled with €30 worth of alcohol from Costcutter on Clanbrassil Street after he was confronted about concealling it in his pockets when he asked about the price on January 3rd 2025.

Thirteen days later he left without paying for alcohol which he had hidden in a shopping bag at Aldi, The Ramparts .

He also concealed various items worth over €27 in his jacket and pockets before leaving Victory's Centra on Main Street, Dunleer on June 4th last.

The defendant also stolen bottle of Gordon's Gin worth €24 from Spar, Donore Road, Drogheda on February 4th 2025 and on July 30th 2024 had taken items from the deli and fridge of Maxol, Donore Road, Drogheda.

He was also one of three men who entred Tesco Extra in Drogheda on June 20th 2024 who took alcohol worth almost €71.

The court further heard the defendant was one of two men who had threatened staff in The Mariner pub on North Quay, Drogheda where they had entered the premises and ordered food and alcohol before they fled on foot when they were asked to pay the €104.50 bill.

Mr Reilly had 56 previous convictions.

His solicitor said the offending occurred at the height of his client's cocaine addiction when he was taking €100 worth of the drug a day.

He was also taking street tablets and alcohol and he found himself in a very dark place.

However, the solicitor said the defendant has engaged with The Red Door Project and completed SafePass and manual handling courses and completed the 10 weeks Changes and Challenges programme.

He added that drink led to cocaine and cocaine led to street tablets and he had a very limited recollection of "this terrible litany of charges he left behind him".

The solicitor continued that his client has been in custody since October last when he was jailed for one year and nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court for production of an article in the course of a dispute and has a current release date in December.

Judge Derek Cooney imposed a nine month sentence for the charge of possessing a knife on the expiration of the sentence currently being served and marked the rest taken into consideration.

He fixed recognizance of €1,000 in the event of an appeal being lodged.