STEALING thousands of euro worth of perfume put a man at risk of having a five-and-a-half-year suspended jail term activated for an old cocaine-dealing case.

The case was re-entered before Cork Circuit Criminal Court and Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin was told of the recent shoplifting offences committed by Edward Collins.

He stole thousands of euro worth of perfumes targeted for fast re-sale in a desperate effort to make some money.

Edward Collins, aged 27, with an address at Orrery Road, Gurranabraher, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft and got an eight-month sentence at Cork District Court.

Collins was also remanded in custody to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for consideration of whether the suspended five-and-a-half-year drug dealing sentence should be activated.

In 2015, Edward Collins, who then had an address at Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply on June 5, 2014, at Blackpool shopping centre at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000.

Fortunately, for Collins, Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said he would not activate the suspended jail term. It could have seen him only now commencing the five years and six months sentence.

Back in 2015, the now retired judge, David Riordan said that what came to mind was the singer, Sting’s quote that cocaine was God’s way of telling you you’ve got too much money.