Woman, 45, pleads not guilty in case where Cork community group used tracking device to trace missing flower baskets

A 45-year-old woman is pleading not guilty to handling stolen property in a case where a community group put a tracking device into a hanging basket of flowers because of previous baskets going missing.

The case was adjourned until today in relation to Mary O’Driscoll of 18 Brookhill, Ballea Road, Carrigaline, County Cork, to allow time for prosecution statements to be sent to the defence.

Ms O’Driscoll faces a charge of possession of six stolen flower baskets – each valued at €30. Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said, “She is pleading not guilty.” 

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to Court 3 at Cork District Court on May 21 when a date will be fixed for a hearing of the case.

Judge Dorgan was previously told that between May 29 and May 31 2023 there were six hanging baskets and flowers stolen from Inch, Killeagh, County Cork. They were valued at €180.

Because something similar happened the year before, members of the local community who put up the baskets put an Apple tracker into one of the baskets.

It is alleged that the tracker gave its location as Ms O’Driscoll’s address.

Gardaí obtained a warrant to search her property and found all six baskets and the tracking device at her home, it was alleged.

She was prosecuted for being in possession of the baskets, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen.