Laois man says ‘sorry’ for taking a child's bike

“I’M very sorry, judge. Tell the person who owned the bike that I’m very sorry. It will never happen again.” That’s what Darren McInerney (40) told Judge Susan Fay as he was being taken from Portlaoise District Court and back to prison after being convicted and sentenced to one month imprisonment for taking a bicycle.

McInerney, Colliers Court, Portlaoise was brought before the court when he pleaded guilty to the unlawful taking of a bicycle from a residential premises at The Drive, Mount Stewart, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on 21 September 2024.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that at 7.45pm on the date, Mr McInerbey was captured on CCTV taking the bicycle from the front garden of the house. The bicycle was recovered in another nearby housing estate and returned to the injured party’s father.

He said that the defendant had 159 previous convictions and is due to be released from prison on 13 January 2028.

Defence solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was imprisoned shortly after the incident.

“He had a serious addiction at the time,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. “He wants to apologise to the young victim and realises that it was a mean thing to do, as he has children himself. He’s attending school while in prison and is spending his time well. On his release, he intends to be a better member of society.” Judge Fay convicted Mr McInerney of the offence and imposed a one-month sentence.

As he was being led from the courtroom by prison officers, Mr McInerney turned to Judge Fay and said: “I’m very sorry, judge. Tell the person who owned the bike that I’m very sorry. It will never happen again.” Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.