Man took €70 heater to checkout and asked for refund despite not buying it

When staff at the store in Portlaoise refused the refund, he left the store with the heater under his arm.

A man entered a store in Portlaoise, picked up a heater and brought it to the checkout, where he sought a refund for the item, despite not having purchased it. 

A man entered a store in Portlaoise, picked up a heater and brought it to the checkout, where he sought a refund for the item, despite not having purchased it. 

When staff refused the refund, he left the store with the heater under his arm. 

Arising from the incident, the man was before a sitting earlier this month of Portlaoise District Court summonsed with theft.

Thomas Reilly (31), Beaupark Mews, Clongriffin, Dublin 13 pleaded guilty to the offence that took place on July 26, 2023 at Aldi, Kylekiproe Road, Portlaoise.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that Mr Reilly went into the store. 

He made his way to the middle aisle and took a €70 heater to the checkout. 

When there, he said he wanted a refund for it, despite not paying for it. 

The staff refused and he left the store with the heater before he was apprehended and the heater recovered.

“I was arrested on the spot and I made admissions to the garda,” said Mr Reilly.

The court was told that the defendant has 16 previous convictions.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said that his client was going through financial difficulties and was living with his in-laws in Portlaoise at the time.

Mr Meagher said the heater was returned in its box in a resaleable condition.

Judge Andrew Gubbins convicted Mr Reilly of the offence, fined him €200 and gave him six months to pay the fine.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.