Long-running Athenry poor box heist case finally resolved

Mon, Dec 08, 2025

A man who made off with €600 - including €185 in coins - from an Athenry pub’s poor box finally had his case concluded when he was brought from prison to appear before Judge Vincent Deane at Loughrea District Court.

Paul Druse (no fixed abode) has been in custody since his arrest on the night of the break-in on September 15 last. He was granted bail on his first appearance at Galway District Court, where he was taken to the cells for repeatedly interrupting and hurling abuse at the presiding Judge, Fiona Lydon.

Druse has appeared at numerous court sittings since September 15, explaining that he couldn’t take up his bail unless he got out of custody to work, but was repeatedly told that he couldn’t be let out unless he came up with his cash bail first.