Man who threw packet of biscuits at Cork shopkeeper is jailed 

A 32-year-old drunken man overreacted to being asked to leave a Spar store because of his condition and he threw a packet of biscuits at the shopkeeper.

Matters got worse when he picked up another item – a 1.25 litre bottle of orange – which he threw with force, striking the shopkeeper in the back with the missile.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the facts of the case against Alan Carey (also known as Alan Fegan) of no fixed address.

The incident occurred at Spar on MacCurtain Street, Cork.

“The shopkeeper could smell alcohol from the accused and asked him to leave the shop. The man picked up a packet of biscuits and threw it at him.

“He then walked to the exit, picked up a 1.25 litre bottle of orange and threw it at him, making contact with his back.

“He returned a short time later and stole a packet of crisps,” Sergeant Kelleher said.

The defendant pleaded guilty to charges of assault and theft arising out of this incident. 

He also admitted possession of a Swiss army knife at Lower Oliver Plunkett Street on another occasion - January 26 2023.

Judge Mary Dorgan was told that the defendant’s engagement with the probation service was erratic in the past. However, he engaged recently and told them he had come off heroin but relapsed, defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said.

Mr Fegan was described as being a high risk of reoffending.

Judge Dorgan imposed a sentence of six months but suspended half of it and put the accused on a 12-month probation bond to commence on his release from jail.